The belated County Magistrate Wang glanced at Chong Guang, his small green eyes flashing. He put on a show of authority and demanded, "Injuring a scholar is a grave offense! You audacious villain, confess your crimes!"
"A scholar?" Chong Guang chuckled and pointed at Zhao San, whose neck was wrapped in bandages. "He's a scholar? Did Magistrate Zhao leak him the exam questions? No, that can't be right. Even if he passed the county examination, the prefectural examination's chief examiner is Prefect Zhang. I wonder if this young Master Zhao is a Tong Sheng, a Xiu Cai, or even a Ju Ren?"
The onlookers outside the prefectural yamen suppressed their laughter. If Zhao San could be a Ju Ren, then they could all be top scholars!
"Silence! What nonsense are you spouting! How could Magistrate Zhao break the law and engage in exam fraud?" County Magistrate Wang retorted sharply and piercingly. He glared at the nonchalant Chong Guang, wishing he could sew his mouth shut.
Chong Guang shrugged, adopting an expression that said, "Whatever you say." This made County Magistrate Wang's face flush with anger.
Even Zhao San, as foolish as he was, knew not to let Chong Guang slander Magistrate Zhao. He croaked in his hoarse, duck-like voice, "My uncle is an upright official! I passed the county examination. I was ill this year and didn't participate in the prefectural examination!"
"Only passed the county examination?" Chong Guang deliberately drew out his words, a knowing smile playing on his lips. Then, he turned to County Magistrate Wang and said, "May I ask County Magistrate Wang for clarification, can someone without even the title of Tong Sheng be considered a scholar? Has the Da Qing Law been changed?"
By rights, only those who passed the academy examination and obtained the Xiu Cai title were considered true scholars. However, the imperial examinations were arduous, a one-in-ten-thousand challenge! Thus, a Tong Sheng could be considered half a scholar.
Tong Sheng were not significant in the prefectures and counties, but in the countryside, where a village of several hundred households might not have a single literate person, the status of a Tong Sheng was naturally lofty. Yet, even a Tong Sheng had to kowtow before officials and received no special treatment, let alone Zhao San, who had only passed the county examination.
"Enough idle talk!" County Magistrate Wang rudely interrupted Chong Guang. He got straight to the point, "Even if Zhao was impertinent, it was due to his drunkenness. But you assaulted him, nearly taking his life. Do you admit your guilt?"
Zhao San touched his still swollen and painful neck and cast a meaningful glance at the two yamen runners beside him. His injury had been personally treated by Doctor Hu, so he wasn't afraid of any investigation. When the punishment came, he thought with a sneer, *hmph!*
The two yamen runners holding the court staves nodded knowingly. There were many subtleties to caning; whether it was a skin injury or a bone-deep one was within their control. This person dared to injure the third young master. Tsk, tsk, after a session of caning, he wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least a month.
"I'll pay the fine!" A crisp and decisive voice rang out. As soon as Chong Guang said this, the smug expressions of County Magistrate Wang and Zhao San froze. Both of them had forgotten about this possibility.
The Book of Documents, Shun Dian, recorded: "Gold can be used for redemption of punishment." In the previous dynasty, the rulers were corrupt, and officials could even reduce capital punishment by paying gold and silver.
After the founding of Da Qing, the laws underwent reforms. Minor punishments like whipping and caning could be waived by paying silver. This was especially true for female offenders; as long as the crime was not punishable by death, redemption could be used to preserve their reputation.
Even if County Magistrate Wang imposed the harshest penalty, it would be at most thirty strokes of the cane for Chong Guang, equivalent to thirty taels of silver.
An ordinary commoner would only save about ten taels a year. Thirty taels would take three years to save, so naturally, they would be reluctant. However, for wealthy young masters who were not short of money, thirty taels was not even a drop in the ocean.
"Medicinal fees," Zhao San said resentfully. Fortunately, he had only injured his throat, and thirty strokes of the cane was already the maximum.
Two days ago, Er Hu from the end of the street had his leg broken in an argument and was brought to the county yamen. Besides five taels of silver for medical expenses, the assailant was only caned twenty times.
County Magistrate Wang's small green eyes flickered, and he spoke again, "Because the throat injury prevents him from swallowing food, he can only be sustained by tonic soup. An additional ten taels of silver for medical expenses are required. Furthermore, you cut Constable Cao's neck, a heinous act that is outrageous. A fine of ten taels will be imposed as a warning. The total fine is fifty taels!"
This was precisely in line with the saying from the "Zeng Guang Xian Wen": "The yamen gates face south, if you have justice but no money, do not enter." With a mere movement of his lips, County Magistrate Wang fined Chong Guang fifty taels of silver. For an ordinary commoner, this would almost mean ruin.
Outside the yamen, Zhan Feiyu showed a sarcastic expression. "No wonder they say that poverty and humble marriage lead to sorrow in all things."
Yin Wuyan's phoenix eyes narrowed. County Magistrate Wang was malicious and greedy, but why did Xiao Yu think of marital matters? Could it be that the young girl had grown up, and her thoughts were no longer on her studies?
Let alone a nine-year-old girl considering her own marriage. Daughters from noble families, even those raised with great care, some as young as six or seven, would already be planning for themselves. After all, a woman's honor was more derived from her husband's family.
No matter how powerful her maiden family was, a married daughter was like spilled water. A woman would not live in her maiden home for twenty years, but she would live in her husband's home for forty years or even longer. Therefore, precocious young ladies from noble families, besides their own elders, would also plan for themselves.
Of course, these were all done in private. In public, no one would mention marriage, lest they be labeled as vulgar and rude. Private exchanges were absolutely not allowed.
Reaching into his clothes, the smug Chong Guang was dumbfounded. He, a dignified hundred-household officer of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, didn't even have fifty taels of silver on him! He had squandered it all.
County Magistrate Wang looked disdainfully at the twenty tael silver note and seven or eight taels of loose silver in Chong Guang's hand and sneered, "Since the redemption money is insufficient, you will pay twenty taels, and receive thirty strokes of the cane!"
The two yamen runners holding the court staves exchanged glances, a cunning glint flashing in their eyes. They dared to offend the third young master and thought they could leave the yamen with all their limbs intact? They were dreaming!
These two yamen runners must want to harm this hundred-household officer! Chong Guang quickly looked back towards the outside. Would Seventh Master stand by and do nothing? After all, he was taking the blame for Seventh Master.
If Seventh Master didn't provide the silver, Chong Guang rubbed his chin and thought, perhaps he should reveal Seventh Master's identity?
Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but chuckle. "Excuse me, uncles and aunties, please make way."
Hearing the voice behind her, the crowd outside the yamen parted. At first, they had only thought Zhan Feiyu was just a young girl who liked to watch the excitement, but they didn't expect her to walk directly into the main hall.
"I'm here to pay the silver." Zhan Feiyu placed a fifty tael silver note on the official desk in front of County Magistrate Wang.
Recalling Constable Cao's words from before, County Magistrate Wang's small green eyes, filled with a shrewd glint, appraised Zhan Feiyu. To give fifty taels of silver so readily, she must truly be a young lady from a wealthy family in Nanxuan Prefecture.
"Thank you, young lady. In the future, your subordinate will surely repay your kindness today with his life." Chong Guang clasped his hands together in a proper bow, feigning sincerity.
Watching Chong Guang sign and stamp his fingerprints after paying the redemption silver, Zhao San's face twisted with unwillingness. However, County Magistrate Wang, who usually fawned over him, paid him no attention.
"This employer is truly generous."
"Yes, fifty taels of silver, just like that."
"No wonder he dared to attack Zhao San. He must have quite the background."
The surrounding commoners began to whisper, looking at Chong Guang with envy, jealousy, and hatred. With such a generous employer, his monthly salary must also be substantial.
...
After returning to the courtyard where he was staying, Zhao San kicked over a chair and cursed with a face full of ferocity, "County Magistrate Wang, I think you don't want to keep your position!"
He was merely the nephew of Magistrate Zhao, yet he dared to speak to him like that!
However, no matter how annoyed County Magistrate Wang was, he maintained a smiling and fawning demeanor. "Third Young Master, please calm your anger. If I showed favoritism in court, what would the common people say?"
"So what if they say it? Am I afraid of those lowly commoners?" Zhao San roared in exasperation, feeling his throat ache intensely. He became even more resentful of Zhan Feiyu and the others who had left peacefully.
County Magistrate Wang even felt like quitting his job because of this fool Zhao San. But normally, with Zhao San handling the money-grabbing, and him, the county magistrate, along with Constable Cao and the other constables, everyone had their roles. The money they obtained was split between Zhao San and County Magistrate Wang, with the rest distributed among others.
This was also why County Magistrate Wang had been supporting Zhao San. If something really happened, Magistrate Zhao would have to protect his nephew, and thus they would all be safe.
However, while secretly pocketing money was one thing, County Magistrate Wang was also a ninth-rank official. In Huaixian, he was second only to the county magistrate. He still cherished his reputation as an official. At least, he couldn't leave any handle for others to grasp. Otherwise, the scholars in Huaixian who were eyeing his position would surely want to replace him as county magistrate.
"Do you expect me to swallow this insult?" Zhao San's anger had not subsided. He said indignantly, "To be beaten by a few outsiders, where does that leave my reputation as the third young master? How can I establish myself in Huaixian in the future?"
What reputation does a scoundrel who bullies men and oppresses women have? County Magistrate Wang reasoned the matter out. "I heard from Cao Xiong that these people brought three fine horses. If we use some means to acquire these three fine horses."
Precisely because Magistrate Zhao was timid, the entire Huaixian county yamen, from top to bottom, was corrupt. However, they only dared to extort a few taels of silver from merchants, taking ten or twenty taels as a favor fee. When divided among everyone, each person didn't get much.
Every time someone committed an offense, they could take the opportunity to extort more money. For example, Chong Guang paid fifty taels of redemption silver, but County Magistrate Wang's case file would not record it in detail; instead, it would state caning for thirty strokes, thus pocketing the fifty taels.
However, at most ten taels would reach County Magistrate Wang's hands. Zhao San's throat was injured, so he would naturally take the lion's share, likely twenty taels. The remaining twenty taels would be divided among Constable Cao and the other constables and yamen runners, with the more receiving one or two taels, and the less receiving five or six hundred wen.
"Three horses?" Zhao San's eyes lit up. Zhan Feiyu had paid the silver so readily, so her horses must be fine steeds. If one horse could sell for five or six hundred taels, then three would be over a thousand taels. Thinking of so much money, Zhao San's anger completely dissipated.
...
Zhan Feiyu planned to rest at the inn for one night, then go to Kou Family Village, where Kou Yuanxing resided, to pay respects the next day, and then return directly to Shangsi County.
Under the bright candlelight, hearing the noisy commotion outside, Zhan Feiyu put down her book and looked out the window towards the backyard. "Big brother, what are they doing?"
Yin Wuyan looked coldly at the group of constables below. "Don't mind them. Prefect Zhang will handle matters in Huaixian."
Nanxuan Prefecture governed eight counties. For Prefect Zhang to establish his authority, he had to firmly control these eight counties. Setting aside Shangsi County, the magistrate of Yin County was a collateral relative of the Kong family. As for the remaining six counties, Huaixian was likely an example for Prefect Zhang to make an example of.
The inn's waiter held up a lantern, and the innkeeper accompanied him with a smiling face. "Constable Cao, did something happen so late at night?"
"It's nothing major. A thief stole from Young Master Zhang's house earlier, and now he's escaped to your inn." Constable Cao waved for the innkeeper to step aside and shouted at the constables, "Search thoroughly! Young Master Zhang lost quite a few things, and that thief must have hidden the stolen goods in the backyard."
"Yes, chief. We'll turn the place upside down to find what Young Master Zhang lost." Several constables shouted loudly, but their greedy eyes were fixed on the horses in the stable in the north corner of the backyard.
A moment later, a constable called out loudly, "Constable Cao, we found them! Both large bundles are hidden in the carriage."
Seeing that the stolen goods were found, the innkeeper breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "Go to the steamed bun shop tomorrow morning and order some steamed buns. Deliver them to each room along with breakfast."
Having disturbed the guests, the innkeeper could only offer steamed buns as an apology. Fortunately, Old Man Jiang's braised meat buns were considered a delicacy in Huaixian, with excellent flavor.
However, when he saw several constables driving the carriage out of the stable, the innkeeper almost choked. His legs trembled as he blocked their path. "Constable Cao, Constable Cao, what are you doing?"
These were the guests' carriages, with a total of six horses and one mule. If they were lost, the innkeeper would have to sell the inn to compensate.
"Alright, why are you so scared? The stolen goods were hidden in the carriage, but the thief is gone. I'm taking the carriage back to the yamen for a thorough inspection. Perhaps we can find some clues." Constable Cao looked at the panicked innkeeper with disgust and signaled. The constables beside him pushed the innkeeper, causing him to stumble.
"But..." Before the innkeeper could finish speaking, Constable Cao interrupted him rudely.
Patting the saber at his waist, the burly and stout Constable Cao's old face darkened. "You've obstructed us repeatedly. Are you colluding with that thief in secret?"
Another constable was familiar with the innkeeper and whispered, "After Chief Cao finishes his inspection, we will send someone to return these carriages and mule carts tomorrow."
The innkeeper naturally knew how greedy these constables were; they were the kind who could profit even from boiling oil. However, with Constable Cao accusing him of colluding with a thief, the innkeeper dared not obstruct them further. He could only watch helplessly as the constables drove the carriages and mule carts out of the backyard.
In the room on the second floor, Zhan Feiyu watched dumbfounded. "Are they outright robbing?"
Didn't they say Magistrate Zhao was very timid? Yet these constables were like wolves and tigers, seizing the carriages with any excuse.
"We'll know tomorrow." Yin Wuyan was unconcerned. Magistrate Zhao's inaction over the years had made these officials increasingly bold. Taking the carriages to the yamen was just a sleight of hand.
Zhan Feiyu nodded and returned to the table to continue reading.
The next day, at dawn, as soon as it was light, the innkeeper had not slept all night. Fortunately, Constable Cao kept his word, and several yamen runners returned the carriages and mule carts.
"Innkeeper, check them. The six horses and one mule are all here." The leading constable spoke impatiently, yawning. "Damn it, we searched all night and couldn't find that thief. When he falls into my hands next time, I'll make sure he regrets it."
The innkeeper looked at the horses and then at the carriage compartments, and then he smiled. He quickly said, "Officer, you've worked hard. Why don't you go to the lobby and have something to eat? I've ordered fifty braised meat buns from Old Man Jiang."
"Eat my foot! I haven't slept all night. I'm going back to catch up on sleep." The constable waved his hand and, after getting the innkeeper's signature, left the backyard with the yamen runners.
"Innkeeper, don't worry. They've all been returned. It seems they were really catching a thief," a nearby waiter chuckled. If the officers had taken the horses away, the innkeeper wouldn't be able to run his inn, and they, the waiters, would have no livelihood. Fortunately, they had worried unnecessarily.
"Alright, hurry up and deliver the fodder. Add more water to the troughs," the innkeeper nodded and instructed the waiter to feed the horses.