Chapter 87

"Let everyone wait for a while longer."

County Magistrate Zhu Qingyu finally walked in. He appeared relaxed, walking calmly. In his thirties, his mustache was neatly trimmed, and his appearance was quite presentable and spirited. Today, he was not wearing his official robe but a sky-blue robe, a Tang-style hat on his head, and a jade belt around his waist, looking very elegant.

After entering, Zhu Qingyu greeted everyone and sat down in the middle seat. He was a capable official. The Ministry of Personnel generally did not assign old and senile officials to important places with large iron mines and tens of thousands of miners. Although they were all jinshi (high-ranking officials), older and senile jinshi were mostly assigned to cold departments or remote, poor, and quiet places, where they could serve a few terms and then retire, or to idle positions like the chief officials of princely households. A place like Lingqiu required young and vigorous officials to handle the job.

Han Tong followed behind Zhu Qingyu, sneering all the way. When he sat down opposite Zhang Han, he continued to sneer, sizing up Zhang Han.

"Today's matter, I am acting on behalf of everyone," Zhu Qingyu stroked his chin and said, "But I have my own principles, which is that there must be no disorder in the mines. Whether it's Mr. Zhang, Mr. Han, or the Dongshan Association, none of you can cause trouble. You should know that with tens of thousands of miners in the mines, if a major disturbance occurs, no one can escape responsibility. I will certainly suffer, and can you escape? It's much better for everyone to be harmonious and prosper together, rather than fighting like roosters. If there are any disputes, you can come to me to mediate. My most important task in Lingqiu is to oversee the mines, and I will pay attention to your matters. I make it clear that whoever starts trouble, regardless of their background, I will not recognize them. I will target whoever causes trouble."

This county magistrate was indeed younger, and his words were very straightforward. After finishing his speech, Zhu Qingyu raised his teacup to drink tea and said to Han Tong and Zhang Han, "You two can speak your minds clearly, and don't cause any more trouble."

Han Tong's triangular eyes were still full of anger, but Zhang Han smiled and bowed to Zhu Qingyu, saying, "Magistrate, what you said is true. I came to Lingqiu to make money from the iron mines, not to quarrel. If Mr. Han is willing to stop making things difficult for my people and not cause trouble, I am willing to live in peace with Mr. Han and his subordinates... This mediation was initiated by me, which shows my sincerity."

Zhu Qingyu nodded slightly. Both Zhang Han and Han Tong were powerful, and he was very worried that they would really fight. If the fight got out of hand, it would be a disaster for him. In the performance evaluation, he would receive a 'very poor' rating, and his future transfer might be to a lower county, making it difficult to advance to the prefecture level. He would be stuck in a low-ranking position for life.

At this moment, Han Tong said, "My people were beaten. The magistrate and everyone are mediating, and I don't want to lose face. But the face of the Han family is also very important. If Mr. Zhang hands over the culprits and lets my family deal with them, and then goes to the injured in my clan to kneel and apologize, this matter will be completely resolved."

Zhang Han's anger flared up, but he held back, smoothing his robe and coldly said, "Mr. Han, aren't you being too unreasonable?"

Han Tong said arrogantly, "Mr. Zhang, if it weren't for the strength behind you, I would have arrested you today, beaten you severely, and made you kneel and apologize, and then pay silver to compensate my injured family members, and hold a series of banquets in the city... Do you think the face of the Han family is so easily lost?"

These words were extremely arrogant, not only looking down on Zhang Han but also including Li Dayong and others.

Sun Anle sneered and said, "We from the Dongshan Association have also dealt with the Han family several times. Fortunately, I didn't have anyone beaten or kneel and apologize. My knees are not worth much, but I won't kneel easily."

Han Tong's eyes narrowed, looking at Sun Anle and said, "I am preparing to fight Mr. Zhang. I have gathered my people. Is the Dongshan Association going to take this on?"

Sun Anle was taken aback, hesitating and uncertain.

They had fought the Han family before, but always at a disadvantage. Han Tong had thousands of miners and tenant farmers, and nearly a hundred family retainers and thugs, who were accustomed to violence and well-equipped. The Dongshan Association was a loose organization of miners, and they couldn't afford to maintain so many fighters. After each fight, they always suffered losses. However, with their large numbers, the Han family couldn't completely overwhelm them, and they had managed to coexist over the years.

This time, whether it was mediation for Zhang Han or fighting for justice, they were still relying on others to bear the brunt of the Han family's power. Taking the lead and bearing the burden themselves would be foolish.

Sun Anle's chest heaved, and his usual calm and composed demeanor was gone. After a few intense exchanges with Han Tong, the leader of the Dongshan Association finally turned his head, though he didn't say anything submissive, his气势 (momentum) was clearly weakened.

At this moment, Zhu Qingyu remained silent. Han Tong was acting on his own, but the Han family was powerful, and Zhu Qingyu couldn't offend Han Tong too much. He also wanted to see what Zhang Han was made of.

"How about it?" Han Tong pushed back Sun Anle, glanced at Li Dayong and others, who were all grim-faced and silent, and then glared at Zhang Han, saying arrogantly, "Or Mr. Zhang can kneel here and serve me tea to apologize. I am old enough to be your father's generation. After you apologize, I will give you some advice to prevent you from causing more trouble and bringing disaster upon yourself!"

Han Tong's confidence was based on solid grounds. Although County Magistrate Zhu Qingyu had tried to persuade him, Han Tong knew that Cai Jiu had initiated the fight, and the Han family also had some injuries. For Han Tong, it was always he who bullied others, and no one dared to take advantage of him. Although he knew that Zhang Han had a strong background, he believed that the influence of the Zhang family in Datong was limited in Lingqiu, which belonged to Shanxi. As for the Zhang family in Puzhou, they were already in decline and not worth much attention.

The Han family's trump card was the current Left Censor of Shanxi, Liu Zengren. The Censor was the third most important official in Shanxi after the Governor and the Inspector. With Liu Zengren, even County Magistrate Zhu Qingyu had to be cautious, which was the source of Han Tong's confidence.

At this moment, Zhang Xuezeng suddenly stood up, trembling with anger, and pointed at Han Tong, saying, "Who do you think you are, to make the descendants of Fengpan kneel to you?"

"From Puzhou?" Han Tong sneered, "They say Puzhou is a place of farming and learning, a model for the scholars of Shanxi. How can you get involved in the iron mines and lose your dignity? You mention Fengpan, and I acknowledge him as the leader of the scholars of Shanxi. But I ask you, where is Fengpan? Bring him here, and I will kneel and apologize to him."

At this moment, Zhu Qingyu coughed, saying with displeasure, "Brother Han, please be careful with your words."

Han Tong's words were an insult to the ancestors, and an insult to a prominent minister like Zhang Siwei. If this spread, Han Tong would be despised by the scholarly community, and if Zhu Qingyu did not show disapproval, his reputation would also be damaged.

Han Tong realized he had overstepped and quickly changed his tone, saying, "I am just speaking up for Fengpan."

Zhang Han pulled Zhang Xuezeng back to his seat, sitting calmly and said to Han Tong, "Mr. Han, there's no need to say more. Today is for mediation, not for fighting. If it comes to fighting, I and Yusheng are not afraid of anyone. There's no need to insult each other, making yourself look like a clown. I will say this: I will definitely continue the iron mine. My furnace can produce more than twice the iron, and the quality is better than ordinary furnaces. I will not give up this business. I can pay a sum of silver to compensate for today's conflict, but let's not mention other things."

Han Tong was determined to suppress Zhang Han and spread the news, so that Lingqiu would remain under the control of the Han family. He wouldn't let this go so easily. He laughed and was about to speak when a servant in a green robe came in and whispered to Zhu Qingyu.

"Strange, why is he here?" Zhu Qingyu stood up and said, "Please bring him in quickly."

Everyone was surprised, not knowing who had arrived and why Zhu Qingyu was so respectful. The guest was not waiting outside or in another room but was directly invited in.

Zhu Qingyu had already gone to the door, and after a short while, Li Shenming, whom everyone recognized, walked in.

In the past twenty days, Li Shenming had disappeared, and everyone thought he had gone on official business, just helping Zhang Han to maintain a presence. Unexpectedly, after so many days, he appeared again in this setting.

Li Shenming still looked tall and elegant. Compared to him, Zhu Qingyu seemed less refined.

"Brother Zunlu, it's been a while."

The last time Li Shenming came, he was coldly treated by Zhu Qingyu. As a staff member of the Datong General, Zhu Qingyu, as a county magistrate in Shanxi, could ignore him. This time, Zhu Qingyu was much more polite, holding Li Shenming's hand and saying, "It's been a while. This time, I hope Brother Zunlu will stay in Lingqiu for a while."

Li Shenming smiled and replied, "I will indeed be staying for a while and will need to seek your guidance."

After a few words, Zhu Qingyu let go of Li Shenming's hand and welcomed the next person at the door. A man in his thirties, dressed as a scholar, slowly walked in, fanning himself. Zhu Qingyu smiled from a distance, saying, "Brother Zhizhi, it's been a long time."

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