Chapter 14

In the official circles of the capital, there was a popular anecdote. It went that when an official posted outside the capital met an official in the capital, the former would say, "I love that capital officials have their official badges." The latter would retort, "I love even more that officials posted outside have their grand processions."

The grand procession was also known as the 'small court session.' While the emperor held grand court sessions in the golden hall of the capital, the county magistrates held smaller sessions in their county yamens. Although it was a typical case of making a grand show in a small space, the etiquette and system could not be abandoned. Every day at the hour of the hare, the drum in the county yamen would sound, and the county vice-magistrate, registrar, instructor, preceptor, registrar of the classics, patrol inspector, postmaster, and tax supervisor—these officials in their black caps, along with the clerks and minor officials in black robes—would all stand in formation in the second hall.

After the second drumbeat and the sound of the gong, the attendant would announce loudly, "The magistrate is ascending the dais!"

The magistrate would then walk with measured steps from behind the screen depicting the sea and the rising sun, and take his seat behind the large desk.

All the officials and clerks would bow in unison, chanting, "We pay our respects to the magistrate!"

The magistrate would then dismiss the formalities and invite the deputy and miscellaneous officials to be seated. The clerks and minor officials, who had no right to sit, could only stand and listen to the magistrate speak.

The magistrate would speak from above, while the officials and clerks would look down at their noses, their minds wandering, hoping for a quick end so they could return to their respective offices and assert their authority over their subordinates.

This yamen assembly in the county, like the grand court session of the state, was merely a formality. Official business was conducted through documents and private consultations, and only resolutions were announced here.

Many officials might find the grand procession endlessly fascinating, but Wei Yuan, the magistrate of Fuyang, who was only twenty-nine years old, was in the prime of his life, full of ambition and vigor, and found such a staid and lifeless ceremony unbearable. Every time he saw the faces of those below, who appeared respectful but harbored ulterior motives, he wished he could flog them all!

Unfortunately, he could only think about it...

After some polite conversation and formalities, Wei Yuan asked the officials if they had any matters to report.

Seeing that no one spoke, he nodded slightly, and the attendant immediately announced, "The session is adjourned!"

The officials hurriedly rose and clasped their hands, saying, "We bid farewell to the magistrate."

Wei Yuan bowed to them and then turned behind the screen, returning to his private office.

Another attendant helped him change his clothes and then served him tea and snacks. After eating two pieces of pastry, Wei Yuan felt his mood improve and asked, "Who is outside?"

The attendant replied, "It's Head Constable Hu."

"Let him in," Wei Yuan said. He had a good impression of Hu Liubu, who was diligent in carrying out his orders.

Hu Liubu entered and bowed deeply, saying, "I pay my respects to the magistrate."

"What is it?" Wei Yuan asked, his face as calm as water, as a county magistrate should not show his preferences.

"I have important news to report," Hu Liubu said in a low voice.

"Step aside," Wei Yuan waved his hand, and the attendant immediately left the private office, closing the door behind him.

"Speak," Wei Yuan nodded, and Hu Liubu leaned in and whispered, "Does the magistrate remember the assault case before you took office? The one where Wang Xingye's son was beaten into a vegetative state?"

"Hmm," Wei Yuan recalled. Since it was a case from before his term, and the victim was likely injured in a gambling dispute and not a good citizen, he had only conducted a routine investigation and let the matter drop.

"The injured Wang Xian has now regained consciousness," Hu Liubu said softly.

Wei Yuan was surprised and said, "He was destined to survive."

"Today, Wang Xian's brother, Wang Gui, reported to me," Hu Liubu said, following Wang Lao's instructions, "that his brother was not injured in a gambling dispute, but was silenced."

"Silenced?" Wei Yuan's brows furrowed. A simple assault case was about to turn into a major one?

"According to Wang Xian, he had already hired someone to write a petition, planning to intercept the magistrate on the day of your inauguration and cry for justice," Hu Liubu said. "But somehow the news leaked, and he almost lost his life..."

"What kind of injustice did he want to cry for?" Wei Yuan's frown deepened.

Hu Liubu took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "The Lin Rongxing murder case."

"..." Wei Yuan's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, it was indeed that case, the scholar's murder case that brought down his predecessor!

After taking office, the Lin family had also submitted a petition, listing various doubts about the case. Wei Yuan found their arguments convincing, but the case had been decided by the circuit intendant and reported to the Ministry of Justice, and was already closed. How could he offend a series of high-ranking officials in the province and the capital just because of a few doubts?

So Wei Yuan had simply said that the case had been handed over to the circuit intendant and that he had no authority to intervene. Later, he heard that the Lin family, undeterred, had appealed to the provincial censorate in Hangzhou and then to Nanjing, and that a high-ranking official had agreed to re-examine the case during the autumn review!

Worse still, the new Zhejiang provincial censor, Zhou Xin, was known for his skill in solving cases and was called 'Cold Iron.' It was said that the Lin family had also appealed to him, and given Zhou Xin's character, he would likely not ignore it!

Wei Yuan had already discussed with his tutor that since the Lin family had no solid evidence, he should stay out of it, and no one could blame him. He would sit back and watch the storm, and when the dust settled, he would still be himself, without any trouble.

Therefore, Wei Yuan quickly calmed down and said slowly, "I have heard that Wang Xian is a lazy and idle person. His words may not be reliable."

"The magistrate is right," Hu Liubu nodded. "But Wang Xian has provided a clue that I must report to the magistrate."

"Speak."

"Wang Xian says that Zhao Shi is not dead, but is hiding in..." Hu Liubu's voice grew softer, audible only to Wei Yuan.

"What!" Wei Yuan was shocked and speechless for a moment before he finally whispered, "How credible do you think this is?"

"I believe it's better to be safe than sorry!" Hu Liubu repeated what Wang Lao had taught him. "Since the Lin family has appealed to the provincial level, given Zhou Intendant's character, he will likely investigate the case thoroughly. What if he personally supervises the autumn review?"

"Hmm..." The thought of Zhou Intendant made Wei Yuan shudder. In legend, he was a wise and just official who could see through the smallest details and solve complex cases. When he first came to Zhejiang, the wrongfully imprisoned people rejoiced, saying, "I can live again." When Zhou Xin took office, he indeed solved cases with divine insight and unexpected methods, making corrupt officials unable to guard against him.

For example, to understand the truth of a case, he once went undercover, deliberately offended the magistrate of Shanyin County, and was arrested. In prison, he learned from the inmates about the magistrate's corruption and impeached and punished the corrupt official, which became a famous story.

But for the officials under his jurisdiction, it was a nightmare. With such an intendant who loved to go undercover and visit prisons, the officials in the various prefectures and counties could not afford to be careless. They not only dared not arrest people arbitrarily but also had to treat the prisoners like ancestors, making life unbearable.

The Lin family must have heard his stories and decided to appeal to the provincial level...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Coming back from his reverie, Wei Yuan dismissed Head Constable Hu and then invited his tutor, Mr. Sima, to come.

Mr. Sima was an old scholar who had taught and worked in the yamen before being recommended to serve as Wei Yuan's tutor. Of course, at that time, they did not call him a tutor but a 'Xixi,' which was essentially the same thing.

He was sleeping in when he heard that the magistrate was looking for him. He quickly dressed, washed his face, and hurried to the private office, where he saw Wei Yuan with a constipated look, as if he had a difficult decision to make.

"Master, you called for me."

"Mr. Sima, please help me make a decision," Wei Yuan hurriedly invited him to sit down and recounted what Head Constable Hu had reported.

"Oh..." Mr. Sima stroked his few goat-like whiskers and pondered for a moment before saying, "Master, now that we know Zhao Shi is still alive, we should not remain indifferent. If someone else solves this case, at best, it would be considered dereliction of duty, and at worst, it would be seen as complicity."

He raised his eyebrows and continued, "Moreover, this case is complex and far-reaching. If it can be overturned, it will surely shock the nation! People fear fame as pigs fear growth, but officials fear the most is having no reputation! Think about it, if you overturn a case already decided by the Ministry of Justice, you will surely become famous throughout the country, like Zhou Intendant. Will you still worry about your future?"

"Mr. Sima, you are thinking too far ahead..." Wei Yuan could not help but be captivated, but he could not admit it.

"Then let's take a step back," Mr. Sima, unable to contain his excitement, said, "If you solve this case, you can at least establish your authority in the county, dispel the lethargy and perfunctory attitude, and see who dares to pay lip service while acting against you?"

It turned out that since Wei Yuan took office, the officials in the county had taken advantage of his youth and lack of background, and his tendency to meddle in many matters, causing him to face several setbacks, leaving him unable to accomplish anything, feeling frustrated and helpless...

Hearing Mr. Sima's words, Wei Yuan finally spoke the truth, "To be honest, I also think so." He sighed and said, "But this case was decided by Inspector He. If I intervene rashly, it will anger him. He is very narrow-minded, as can be seen from his treatment of my predecessor. If Wang Xian is lying, it will ruin me."

"Master's words are reasonable. Wang Xian has a bad reputation, and his words should not be taken lightly," Mr. Sima nodded. "Why don't I go to his house tonight and investigate the truth? If what he says is true, we can take further action."

"Hmm, there's no rush," Wei Yuan nodded. "But we must not let the news leak." Clearly, his heart was already inclined to get involved.

"If Master is not at ease," Mr. Sima smiled, "why not assign a clerk to take a statement from Wang Xian, to conclude his case?"

Wei Yuan thought for a moment and clapped his hands in approval, "Excellent, a mix of real and fake, who can predict it!"

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