Chapter 22

"Wait a moment!!"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's voice, Liu Chang'an was taken aback, not understanding why Zhao Junchen would stop him. He hurriedly advised, "Sir, Zhang Qicheng has disrupted the sacrifice and slandered officials of the court. His crimes are heinous and must be punished, otherwise, the law and order cannot be upheld!!"

Zhao Junchen gave Liu Chang'an a covert glare and then slowly said, "I have always been upright and transparent in my actions, and there is nothing I cannot reveal. Although Zhang Qicheng is indeed guilty, since he has questioned me face-to-face, I should also debate with him and give him a chance to speak."

Noticing the warning in Zhao Junchen's eyes, Liu Chang'an hesitated for a moment but ultimately followed Zhao Junchen's instructions and had the constables release Zhang Qicheng.

Zhang Qicheng, who had shown no fear when the constables were arresting him, now looked as if he had expected this outcome. He did not say much, only continued to stare provocatively at Zhao Junchen.

On the other hand, the scholars around Zhang Qicheng gradually showed signs of unease but still gathered around him to show their support.

Clearly, although Zhao Junchen intended to change his image as a corrupt official, he could deceive ordinary people but not these well-informed scholars.

After the constables released Zhang Qicheng, Zhao Junchen asked, "You said there are corrupt officials here who are pretending and deceiving the people. Were you referring to me?"

"It is you, Zhao Junchen!!" Zhang Qicheng said with hatred, emphasizing each word, "Your corruption, bribery, and framing of loyal officials are known to all!! In the years you have served as the Deputy Minister of Revenue, you have deceived the higher-ups and embezzled a large amount of money from the national treasury. Do you think no one knows? For instance, your mansion in the capital covers a hundred acres and is still being expanded. How much money has been spent? Could you afford it with just your salary? The former Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Li Wenxuan, impeached you for this, but you slandered him repeatedly before the emperor. Poor Mr. Li, once the leader of the scholarly community and respected by all, was ultimately wrongfully imprisoned and died in jail!! Who in the scholarly community does not know about this? Who does not hate you? Don't think you can deceive the people by pretending here!!"

Hearing Zhang Qicheng's words, the people around the altar began to murmur. Zhang Qicheng was well-known in Lu'an Prefecture, and after hearing his evaluation of Zhao Junchen, the people's initial impression of Zhao Junchen as a good official began to waver.

...

The matters Zhang Qicheng mentioned were not known to Zhao Junchen, who was now in a different position. However, after hearing Zhang Qicheng's words, Zhao Junchen felt more at ease.

There was no other reason; Zhang Qicheng had no evidence and had acted rashly. Since this was the case, Zhao Junchen felt justified in turning the tables.

On the other side, Zhang Qicheng's emotions grew even more intense as he spoke. He took out an article from his sleeve and said loudly, "This is a summary of your eight major crimes, each of which is a capital offense!! Today, I will read them out in front of the people to expose your true nature!!"

However, just as Zhang Qicheng opened the article and was about to read it, Zhao Junchen interrupted, "Hold on, I gave you a chance to speak. Now that you have said so much, shouldn't I have a chance to speak as well?"

Zhang Qicheng looked up at Zhao Junchen, who was still standing on the altar, and sneered, "What, are you afraid?"

Zhao Junchen said sternly, "I have nothing to hide, so what is there to be afraid of? I just want to ask you, when you said I am a corrupt official and a villain, and listed my eight major crimes, did you see any of these with your own eyes or have any evidence?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhang Qicheng was taken aback.

As a scholar with only a degree of xiucai, how could he have evidence of Zhao Junchen's crimes?

However, Zhang Qicheng's father, Zhang Xuan, had been a Deputy Minister of Personnel and had many old friends in the bureaucracy. After Zhang Xuan's death, these friends took care of Zhang Qicheng and informed him of many things about Zhao Junchen. Although he had no evidence, Zhang Qicheng firmly believed that Zhao Junchen was a major corrupt official.

In fact, one of the people Zhao Junchen had framed and imprisoned, the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Li Wenxuan, was one of Zhang Qicheng's father's old friends. Over the years, Zhang Qicheng had received much help from him, which was why he harbored such deep resentment towards Zhao Junchen.

But these reasons could not be openly stated, so Zhang Qicheng could only answer, "As a commoner, where can I find evidence? And your actions, who in the world does not know about them? Do they need to be seen with my own eyes? Can the people of the world all be mistaken about you?"

Zhao Junchen sneered, "Even the current emperor, who rules over the world, needs evidence to convict someone. How can you, Zhang Qicheng, think that evidence is unnecessary?"

Seeing Zhang Qicheng at a loss for words, Zhao Junchen continued, "Since you say you are only repeating what others have said, does that mean all the charges you have leveled against me are based on hearsay?"

Zhang Qicheng was again speechless, feeling that everything was different from what he had imagined.

In Zhang Qicheng's original plan, as long as he stood up to question Zhao Junchen and read out the "eight major crimes," Zhao Junchen would either be intimidated by his "righteousness" and end the matter hastily, or become angry and imprison him. In either case, Zhao Junchen's true nature would be exposed to the people.

But Zhang Qicheng did not expect that Zhao Junchen, as a high-ranking official, would engage in a debate with him and show such eloquence, hitting the key points one after another.

In the end, Zhang Qicheng's plans were just the naive thoughts of a scholar.

On the other side, seeing Zhang Qicheng at a loss for words, Zhao Junchen pressed on, "Since you only believe what others say, I ask you, who told you I am a corrupt official? Oh, you don't want to say? Then I ask you, did the person who told you see me embezzle or frame loyal officials with their own eyes, or are they also repeating what they heard?"

Seeing Zhang Qicheng still unable to answer, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment, Zhao Junchen hummed and asked again, "I see you are a scholar. Do you know the story of 'Three Men Make a Tiger'? What does the 'In Distress' chapter of the 'Confucian Family Sayings' say?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhang Qicheng knew what Zhao Junchen was going to say. He opened his mouth as if to refute but ultimately chose to remain silent, only glaring at Zhao Junchen with hatred.

Zhao Junchen sneered, "I thought you were talented when you dared to question me face-to-face. Although you were rash, you showed some courage. But I didn't expect you to have no independent judgment, only repeating what others say, and even failing to understand the words of the sages! Where is Prefect Liu!?"

Liu Chang'an quickly replied, "I am here, sir!"

Zhao Junchen said, "Explain the 'In Distress' chapter of the 'Confucian Family Sayings' to Zhang Qicheng and the people around him. Use simple language so everyone can understand."

"Understood, sir," Liu Chang'an replied, turned to look at Zhang Qicheng, and saw his changing expression, feeling a great sense of satisfaction. In the past, Zhang Qicheng had relied on his father's influence and often caused him trouble, but he never expected this day to come!

Clearing his throat, Liu Chang'an said loudly, "In the past, Confucius and his disciples were besieged in the state of Chen and Cai, lacking food and clothing, and were starving. Zi Gong went out and exchanged some rice, which he gave to Yan Hui to cook for everyone. As Yan Hui was cooking, Confucius happened to pass by and saw Yan Hui eating the porridge, which made him angry. He went to question Yan Hui, but after Yan Hui explained, Confucius learned that Yan Hui was not eating the porridge but had removed some dust that had fallen into it to prevent Confucius from getting sick, and he did not want to waste the food. Realizing the truth, Confucius sighed, saying that even what we see with our own eyes can be wrong, let alone what we hear from others."

After explaining, Liu Chang'an smiled at Zhang Qicheng and asked, "Scholar Zhang, do you understand the lesson in the 'In Distress' chapter of the 'Confucian Family Sayings'?"

On the other side, Zhang Daoquan suddenly stood up and said to the people and Zhang Qicheng, "People, don't be deceived by Zhang Qicheng. These days, I have seen everything the imperial envoy has done for Lu'an Prefecture. The disaster relief funds and grain from the court amount to tens of thousands of taels of silver, and the imperial envoy has not taken a single coin, giving it all to the Lu'an Prefecture government. Moreover, seeing the large population of Lu'an Prefecture, the imperial envoy has been working hard to raise more disaster relief funds and grain for the people. The imperial envoy, representing the emperor, is of noble status, but he has been humbly seeking help for the people of Lu'an Prefecture! Today, to lead everyone in pest control, he has even offered to bear the heavenly punishment in the presence of heaven and earth! Tell me, can such an official be a corrupt one?!"

Although Zhang Daoquan was just a charlatan, his reputation in Lu'an Prefecture was much higher than Zhang Qicheng's. As he expressed his stance, the people finally believed him and began to cheer for Zhao Junchen under his lead.

"Sir Zhao is a good official!!"

On the other side, merchants like Guo Linxiang and He Zeng, as well as local officials like Liu Chang'an, also joined in the cheering.

Zhao Junchen glanced at Zhang Daoquan and nodded slightly in approval. Noticing Zhao Junchen's gesture, Zhang Daoquan was secretly delighted, knowing he had made the right choice.

...

At this moment, Zhang Qicheng was feeling extremely uncomfortable. Unlike ordinary people, although he had no evidence, he knew the truth about Zhao Junchen through various channels. Seeing Zhao Junchen deceive the people, he felt indignant, and the strange looks from the people around him made him even more uncomfortable.

Even his classmates and friends, who had always been close to him, were now looking at him with suspicion.

After this incident, at least in Lu'an Prefecture, Zhang Qicheng was labeled as "rash, lacking judgment, and repeating what others say, even failing to understand the words of the sages."

Seeing the people cheering for Zhao Junchen, the officials, merchants, and gentry following his orders, and Zhao Junchen standing calmly on the altar, silently observing everything, Zhang Qicheng felt a sudden sense of fear.

"This Zhao Junchen, not only is he despicable, but he also has such skills. The Ming dynasty will eventually be ruined by him!!"

Thinking this, Zhao Junchen did not become angry, but Zhang Qicheng did. Pointing at Zhao Junchen, he shouted loudly, "Zhao Junchen, you corrupt and villainous official!! Do you think you can deceive the people of one place and the people of the whole world? Do you think you can deceive them for a while and forever? Zhao Junchen! Your true nature will eventually be exposed!!"

His voice was so loud that it drowned out the cheers of the people and reached Zhao Junchen's ears.

Zhao Junchen looked at Zhang Qicheng and shouted to the people, "Everyone, please be quiet!!"

When the area around the altar finally became quiet, Zhao Junchen said loudly, "People, I know that in recent years, due to malicious slander, my reputation among the people has not been good. But as the saying goes, 'seeing is believing.' I am standing here now, and you can take this opportunity to see whether I am a clean or corrupt official. This time, the locust plague has caused a complete crop failure, but I promise that no one will go hungry. If I fail to keep this promise, I will admit that I am a corrupt official!!"

For the people, in times of famine, nothing is more important than having food to eat. Hearing Zhao Junchen's promise, the people cheered even louder, and some even called him a "just official."

In this era, the threshold for being a clean official is very low. As long as you can ensure the people's survival, you are a just official. In the eyes of the people, Zhao Junchen had met this standard.

Seeing the people's reaction, Zhao Junchen nodded in satisfaction. He knew that from today, his tarnished reputation would be completely reversed in Lu'an Prefecture. Using Lu'an Prefecture as a starting point, the people's views of him would gradually improve, and his goal was initially achieved.

However, while he was satisfied, Zhao Junchen was not happy. He did not like deceiving the people, as he had once been one of them. But to reverse his current unfavorable situation, he had no choice but to do so—his reputation was too bad, and if he did not change it, he would truly be "unworthy of living."

Satisfied, guilty, and helpless, or even a bit smug, Zhao Junchen's emotions were quite complex.

On the other side, seeing the situation settled, Liu Chang'an, admiring Zhao Junchen, quickly walked to his side and asked, "Sir, Zhang Qicheng disrupted the sacrifice and slandered court officials, committing heinous crimes. How should he be punished?"

Zhao Junchen did not actually dislike Zhang Qicheng and even admired him to some extent. After all, in any era, people like Zhang Qicheng, who have righteousness and courage, are rare. At least, Zhao Junchen, reflecting on himself, would probably "cultivate virtue in solitude" if he were in Zhang Qicheng's position.

Considering the influence on the scholarly community, Zhao Junchen did not plan to severely punish Zhang Qicheng.

After a moment of thought, when the people became quiet again, Zhao Junchen said to Zhang Qicheng, "Zhang Qicheng, you have slandered court officials and disrupted the sacrifice. Normally, I could punish you severely. But considering that you were misled and had no malicious intent, I will not punish you severely. I will only revoke your xiucai degree. Are you satisfied with this?"

The reason Zhao Junchen wanted to revoke Zhang Qicheng's degree and cut off his path to an official career was also for Zhang Qicheng's own good.

Although Zhang Qicheng had righteousness and courage, they often manifested as rashness. Such a person, if he entered the bureaucracy, would be manipulated without realizing it and would not have a good outcome—just like how Zhao Junchen used him today.

Since this was the case, it would be better to cut off his path to an official career and let him be a teacher in Lu'an Prefecture.

The bureaucracy is more dangerous than the battlefield, and people like Zhang Qicheng are better off not participating.

Thinking that Zhang Qicheng would strongly oppose, but to Zhao Junchen's surprise, Zhang Qicheng first looked at the people around him, then stared at Zhao Junchen for a long time, and finally regained his composure.

"If you have already said this, what use is it for me to oppose?" Zhang Qicheng said expressionlessly, then shouted at Zhao Junchen, "Since you are so magnanimous, what do you plan to do with the innocent people who attacked you a few days ago? If you neither investigate nor punish them and keep them imprisoned without cause, how can the people feel at ease?"

Liu Chang'an, seeing that Zhang Qicheng was pushing his luck and even indirectly mocking Zhao Junchen—"innocent people who attacked you"!! If the people were innocent, then Zhao Junchen deserved to be hit by stones, right?—became angry and was about to scold him.

However, before he could speak, Zhao Junchen waved him off.

Zhao Junchen then shouted to the people, "A few days ago, some people threw stones at me. According to the Ming dynasty law, the punishment ranges from thirty strokes to execution. But I know they were misled, so I have no intention of punishing them severely. Although I put them in jail, I did not mistreat them. You can ask them when they are released. I planned to keep them in jail for a while to teach them the importance of obeying the law, but now, with the locust plague, we need everyone's help. I have decided to release them early to let them atone for their crimes. If they perform well during the pest control, I will not pursue their crimes!"

As Zhao Junchen's words fell, the people cheered again.

"The imperial envoy is indeed a good official!"

"He can forgive the people who attacked him, even the Song dynasty's Bao Zheng could not do that!"

"This imperial envoy truly cares for the people! It's a shame that someone slandered him as a corrupt official, what a wicked heart!"

Hearing the people's words, Zhang Qicheng realized that he had lost the battle for public opinion, and lost badly.

Sighing, he looked deeply at Zhao Junchen, who was receiving the people's cheers on the altar, and hid his resentment and frustration deep in his heart. He did not say anything more, only turned and left quietly.

His back was desolate and lonely.

"The sacrifice is over. For the peace of the world and the harvest next year, people, let's go and fight the locusts!!"

Zhao Junchen did not notice Zhang Qicheng's departure but announced loudly to the people.

...

When Zhao Junchen came down from the altar, Xu Qingyan quickly brought a bowl of water to him and said, "Young master, you have worked hard."

Zhao Junchen nodded and did not say much, only drank the water in one gulp.

On the altar, to make his voice heard by more people, Zhao Junchen had been shouting, and now his mouth was dry and his throat was sore