The county magistrate Wang and the guard Jiang Guan were both in a panic. The yamen runners and executioners hadn't wanted to be there either, but the pressure this time was immense. Their superiors had said that if they didn't comply, they would be sent home immediately, and any grumbling would be punished. Only then did they reluctantly agree to this sinful act of wrongful execution. Seeing someone step forward, they naturally felt relieved.
The county magistrate Wang had a flash of inspiration and instead shouted loudly:
"Who are you? How dare you cause trouble at the execution ground? If you don't make it clear, you'll be treated the same as these unruly commoners!"
A gasp went through the crowd—
This magistrate was too audacious!
Yin Xiaohu was a hero who had led five thousand volunteers, establishing two encampments in Huating and defeating tens of thousands of Japanese pirates! Yet this magistrate dared to shout like this?
One must know that
ancient people held military achievements in extreme reverence; they were considered more solid than anything else. To put it bluntly, in the eyes of the common people, this magistrate Wang Chang was not even fit to carry Yin Xiaohu's shoes!
Therefore,
after their initial shock, the crowd's righteous indignation surged again. Thousands of eyes fixed venomously on Magistrate Wang and Guard Jiang, practically spitting fire.
County Magistrate Wang felt a pang of panic and sighed helplessly—
Why was he so unlucky to be the magistrate of Wucheng County? Last time, there was the major incident of Yin Zhengmao killing civilians, and this time Zhang Yu was forcing him to kill civilians again! This Guard Jiang had a cousin whose wife was a concubine of Yan Shifan's disciple. A few days ago, he was told that if he didn't comply, he would be branded as part of Zhu Mo's faction, and would never be able to rise again... With these concerns, what could he, Wang Chang, do?
The imperial court was always in flux, with important figures changing like a revolving door. No matter how arrogant Zhu Mo was, he had no voice now, did he? What could be done if he was overthrown? The only blame was that Zhu Mo had lost the struggle...
With this thought,
he returned to the cold logic of officialdom and coolly regarded Yin Xiaohu.
Yin Xiaohu declared loudly:
"My name is Yin Xiaohu, currently a Qianhu of the Jinshan Reclamation Guard Volunteers!"
Boom!
Hearing him state his name, the crowd erupted in even greater cheers!
County Magistrate Wang snorted and retorted,
"Oh? What proof do you have?"
Proof?
Yin Xiaohu was bewildered.
Did he need proof to vouch for himself?
He was just a volunteer, a young man from the countryside by birth, how could he understand these bureaucratic twists and turns? Being questioned like this, he was suddenly at a loss.
Magistrate Wang Chang continued to press him:
"If you claim to be a Qianhu of the Volunteers, why are you not wearing the Volunteer uniform? As far as this county knows, Jinshan Guard Reclamation Volunteers are not permitted to go out and disturb the people without cause. How did you get here? Humph!"
He stepped onto the three-step platform again and declared loudly to the assembled villagers:
"Since this person claims to be a Qianhu of the Volunteers, how did he suddenly appear in Nanxun? I asked him for proof, and he couldn't produce any? My fellow soldiers and civilians, you must not believe rumors... This person has a rough face and an unknown origin. How can you say he is Chief Yin?"
You!
Yin Xiaohu was instantly enraged, but he was sidetracked by the magistrate's words and found himself unable to speak even if he wanted to.
Wang Chang snorted again and said,
"Why are you here? What is your purpose?"
"You! Could you be a deserter from the Jinshan Guard Reclamation? Speak!"
A commotion!
The entire crowd was stunned again!
Some recognized each other, and after this twist, they suddenly lost their confidence. Many others had only heard of an Yin Xiaohu but had never seen him. Now, confronted by the magistrate, they began to have doubts in their hearts…
Sigh…
Zhu Mo watched, shaking his head—
This Great Ming Dynasty was truly bizarre! To turn white into black was one thing, but could the truth itself be turned into falsehood?
He leaned close to Zhang Han and whispered,
"Minister Zhang, it seems you must step forward… Shall I go to the bridge and bring the personal guards?"
Zhang Han, having been an official for most of his life, had never seen such an outrageous magistrate and couldn't help but shake his head. "Very well, Zi Xuan, I will go down now…"
Just then,
County Magistrate Wang shouted again:
"Guards! Take this person away! He will await further judgment!"
A commotion!
A group of yamen runners swarmed forward, immediately attempting to apprehend Yin Xiaohu.
At this moment,
many of Yin Xiaohu's volunteers, who were mixed in the crowd, could bear it no longer. With a rush, twenty or thirty people pushed through the crowd, intending to surround and rescue Yin Xiaohu.
Zhu Mo and Zhang Han both exclaimed, "This is bad!"
Zhang Han made a decisive move and shouted loudly,
"Wait!"
A commotion!
Flanked by three or four attendants, Zhang Han strode forward with his head held high and approached the three-step platform, declaring authoritatively,
"Wang Chang, do you recognize this hall?"
A commotion!
A commotion!
The crowd was once again thrown into an uproar!
What was happening today?
Why were so many people coming to rescue the condemned?
Wang Chang was merely a county magistrate and had never seen a governor. However, Jiang Guan had seen one. His cousin was a concubine of Wang Taiyun, a disciple of Yan Shifan. Although Wang Taiyun had been dismissed, he had once been a Councillor, and Jiang Guan, having associated with them, had also seen Zhang Han on tour. But at this moment, how could he recognize him? He had to proceed with the execution immediately. Once blood was shed, the matter would be beyond salvage!
He immediately shouted,
"Who are you? Are you an accomplice of this youth?! What is going on today? Why is the execution not proceeding?!"
With a shout!
The executioners, who were more afraid of him, Jiang Guan, saw his furious glare and immediately swung their executioner's swords, ready to strike.
Zhang Han, both shocked and angry, cried out,
"I am the Governor of Jiangnan! Who dares to act?"
Boom!
The scene fell into absolute silence.
But Jiang Guan could not wait any longer. He roared again,
"Execute!"
As countless villagers watched the executioner's swords swing, ready to take heads,
just then,
Bang bang bang bang!
Bang bang bang!
A volley of arquebus fire suddenly rang out!
The executioner's swords, suspended in mid-air, immediately halted. The crowd was bewildered, and amidst the drifting white smoke, a troop of arquebusiers had arrived at the execution ground.
Wang Chang's ears buzzed, his mind reeling. Jiang Guan, however, saw clearly. The leader, a young man wearing a simple cloth robe, had a subtle smile on his face, and his eyes were deep and profound. It was none other than Zhu Mo!
Hoo~
Jiang Guan immediately deflated—
It's over.
How could this person appear in Nanxun? Governor Zhang was truly foolish. Why didn't he act quickly, but wait a few more days? Now he had brought forth the King of Hell…
Wang Chang, when he went to report to the provincial government last year, had met Zhu Mo once at the Memorial Hall due to handling the case of Dong Fen's son. Now, after a closer look, he was certain. A great stone lifted from his heart—
Wonderful!
With this person's arrival, no one could force him to kill civilians anymore. He, a mere county magistrate, involved in such a colossal disaster, had truly had his ancestors' graves smoke to bring forth an savior…
His mind became clear and serene. He suddenly took a few steps forward, knelt down with a thud, and shouted,
"Wang Chang, County Magistrate of Wucheng, pays respects to Imperial Envoy Grand Scholar Zhu Mo!"
Zhu Mo nodded immediately, thinking that this person was indeed quick-witted. This bow was perfectly timed, and it would be difficult to deal with him now…
At the same time,
Yin Xiaohu also shouted,
"Volunteers, come and pay respects to Grand Scholar Zhu Mo!"
Grand Scholar Zhu Mo,
Grand Scholar Zhu Mo…
The resounding voices echoed above the crowd. Forty or fifty people emerged from the onlookers, all kneeling behind Wang Chang, forming a vast expanse that left the assembled villagers dumbfounded. The executioners and yamen runners, seeing the county magistrate already kneeling in homage, and the legendary Volunteer Chief Yin Xiaohu also paying his respects, had no doubt. They also began to kneel, and the entire scene became solemn.
Zhang Han, seeing Jiang Guan still pretending ignorance, immediately bellowed,
"Bold! Do you not pay respects to Grand Scholar Zhu Mo!"
Jiang Guan cried out, trembling,
"Zhu, Zhu Mo, Grand Scholar?"
At this moment,
the three to four thousand villagers gathered all understood—
The young scholar walking in front was the legendary Zhu Mo!
He had come to save those dozen or so common people…
Unknowingly,
someone suddenly shouted—
"Grand Scholar Zhu has returned!"
A commotion!
Boom!
"Grand Scholar Zhu!"
"Grand Scholar Zhu!"
"Grand Scholar Zhu!"
"…"
The calls lingered for a long time. Many villagers were seen shedding tears, and the thirteen wronged small workshop owners who were kneeling even kowtowed, crying bitterly.
Zhang Han had only heard of Zhu Mo's reforms winning popular support. Seeing it with his own eyes now, he felt that the ups and downs of his official career were utterly meaningless in comparison at this moment…
"This scene and atmosphere can truly only be seen in the era of Yao and Shun… To hear the Way in the morning and die in the evening would be enough…"
He murmured to himself, suddenly feeling that his entire life had been a mistake…
He looked at the transcendentally calm Zhu Mo and suddenly felt he couldn't understand this person. If one said he was Buddha or a Bodhisattva, he was merely a scholar. If one said he was a hero, he was without strength. But if one said he was just a scholar, he possessed such influence…
Jiang Guan was initially unwilling to pay his respects, but at this moment, he was frightened by the mournful yet joyous atmosphere of the entire scene. He stumbled forward, knelt down with a thud, and tremblingly said,
"Bianfa School Captain Guard Jiang Guan pays respects to Grand Scholar Zhu Mo!"
Zhu Mo did not wish to acknowledge such a tyrannical person. Without even looking, he strode onto the three-step platform, bowed deeply to the assembled villagers, and said,
"Zhu Mo is incompetent, allowing the villagers to suffer this torment…"
A commotion!
After a surge of the crowd, it returned to quiet. Everyone had now witnessed this legendary young man. They felt that this young man appeared ordinary at first glance, but upon closer examination, he possessed a feeling of being an otherworldly visitor. Even more remarkable was his great humility, a demeanor ingrained in his very being, which earned great affection. He was clearly in a position of advantage, yet he was so humble, even offering apologies to the common folk?
The common people had never heard of such a thing and stared in stunned silence.