Chapter 17 of 100

Chapter 17

15 min read3,642 wordsMature

(There's a special event tonight, and I'm not sure how many more highlights there will be. Please recommend, dear readers!)

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He Chang, known as Mr. He, was a prominent figure in both the town of San Shan and the county of Fu Yang. He was in his early forties, with a large and imposing face, his eyes wide open, exuding an excess of energy. His large mouth was tightly closed, giving off an air of arrogance.

He indeed had the right to be arrogant, for he was the grain commissioner of San Shan Town.

The country's thirty million dan of tax grain were collected and delivered by three thousand grain commissioners. To win over these local officials who did not receive salaries, Zhu Yuanzhang granted them many privileges, such as hereditary positions, the authority to manage the villagers, and the power to intervene in legal matters. If they performed outstandingly, they could be recommended to serve in the imperial court without taking the imperial examinations. Zhu Yuanzhang often summoned them to ask about the people's conditions and even sought their advice on solving problems. If he was satisfied with their responses, they could be appointed to official positions, with the highest rank being the governor of a province!

In this era, grain commissioners were all powerful figures, like Mr. He. He inherited a vast estate and the prestigious title of grain commissioner from his father, which was highly regarded by the locals.

He lived in a grand mansion in San Shan Town, with several concubines and indulged in wine and women. He also enjoyed martial arts and had connections with many martial artists, making him a well-known figure in Fu Yang and even in western Zhejiang.

One morning, he was drinking with his favorite concubine, Linghua, who had a rosy face and affectionate eyes. She wore a well-fitted lake-green dress and a pink embroidered jacket, her slender waist tightly cinched, making her look exceptionally beautiful.

Mr. He held her slender waist, listening to her soft whispers, and said, "Linghua, I've been with you for two years, but I never get tired of you."

"You just know how to flatter me," Linghua said, covering her mouth and smiling. "I bet you say the same to the others."

"The others are just pretense, but what I say to you is true," Mr. He said with a lecherous smile, his hands becoming less restrained.

Linghua, however, held his hand and said, "It's broad daylight..."

"Daytime is better; we can see everything clearly. What's the point of doing it in the dark?" Mr. He said as he tried to untie her sash.

"Don't," Linghua's voice trembled. "I'm feeling anxious lately, always dreaming that the officials will burst in and take me away."

"What are you afraid of?" Mr. He laughed. "I'm a hereditary grain commissioner; who would dare to search my house? Besides, my family has a secret hideout built at the end of the previous dynasty, which is foolproof. You can hide there for a hundred years, and they won't find you!" He then pinched her small breasts and comforted her, "Besides, everyone outside already thinks you're dead. Why would they still look for you?"

"Okay," the beauty finally relaxed, and as he caressed her, she began to respond, moaning and writhing.

Mr. He smiled wickedly, about to make a move, when suddenly the voice of his steward, He Fu, rang out: "Master, someone from the county has come with a warrant to arrest someone!"

"Ah!" Linghua was terrified, and Mr. He also became tense. "How is that possible?" He quickly tidied his clothes and said to Linghua, "Hide, I'll deal with it outside."

"Okay," Linghua, without bothering to fix her clothes, stumbled into the inner room.

Mr. He then went to the front hall, where he saw Hou San, a bailiff from the criminal department, who was an associate of Xu Dianli, the head of the criminal department. He bowed and said, "Mr. Hou, what's the matter?"

Hou San then recounted the earlier court proceedings to He Chang. Mr. He sighed in relief, "I thought it was something serious."

"Of course, it's a small matter for you, Mr. He," Hou San smiled. "But it's better to be prepared. I see they've brought quite a few people, probably to extort money from you."

"Hmph," He Chang snorted. "They think they can extort money from me!"

As the saying goes, "A single red dot in the hall, a thousand drops of blood in the people." That red dot is the red pen used by the county magistrate to sign warrants, which the constables use to extort money from the families of those summoned. They harass and intimidate, demanding "running fees," "shoe money," "meal money," and even "release money" and "leniency money." If the summoned person refuses to pay or offers too little, the constables might tear their clothes, create some bloodstains, and report that the person resisted arrest, leading to a warrant and the destruction of the family.

Thus, when the officials with warrants come to arrest someone, the people, regardless of wealth, feel as if the sky is falling. Of course, Mr. He was not afraid, but he found it troublesome. He patiently said to Hou San, "Mr. Hou, you've worked hard. The food and wine are ready in the back..."

"I need to go back quickly; it would be awkward if I met them," Hou San hurriedly declined.

"Alright, another day then." Mr. He took out five strings of new banknotes from his sleeve and gave them to Hou San.

After Hou San left, Mr. He slammed the table. "Those fools, Zhu and the others, have been recognized!" He then instructed He Fu, "Send the six of them to Tonglu County to hide. They must not return without my word."

"Yes."

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Just as he had sent the six away, the officials arrived.

Because he was the grain commissioner of the district, the constables did not dare to act rashly. They politely knocked on the door and explained their purpose, and the He family welcomed them in.

Mr. He had already changed into a scholar's cap, a wide-sleeved robe, a leather belt, and black boots, standing with a smile at the front of the hall. This attire was special, a gift from the current emperor when he delivered grain to the capital in the fifth year of Yongle.

Zhang Mazi bowed respectfully and was invited to the flower hall. After being served tea, he asked, "May I ask, gentlemen, what brings you to my humble abode?"

"We are here by the order of the county magistrate to arrest a suspect. If we offend, please bear with us," Zhang Mazi said, using the respectful term "grain commissioner."

"Oh?" He Chang feigned surprise. "What suspect could be in my house?"

"It's like this..." Zhang Mazi recounted the entire story, which made Mr. He furious. He slammed the table and said, "Slander, pure slander! No one from my household has been to the county in the past half month!"

"Please calm down, Mr. He," Zhang Mazi smiled. "I don't believe your household would harbor criminals, but I must follow orders."

"Then please tell the magistrate that my family has no lawbreakers," He Chang said, taking out a stack of banknotes from his sleeve and pushing it toward Zhang Mazi. "The brothers have come a long way; I invite you all to have a drink."

"Hehe, that's too much," Zhang Mazi said, delighted as he took the money. "Alright, I'll talk to the complainant."

"Thank you," He Chang nodded.

After a moment, Zhang Mazi returned, and Mr. He heard cries and wails in the courtyard. He Fu rushed in, panicked, "Master, it's not good, someone might die."

"You're the one who's going to die!" He Chang spat at him. "Bad luck!" He quickly went out and saw Wang Er lying on a door panel, his head bleeding, holding a sharp knife to his chest, shouting at the officials, "I'll be beheaded anyway, I might as well die here!"

Zhang Mazi looked angry but was hesitant to act, only able to persuade from the side, "Don't do anything rash, I haven't said I won't search. Don't do anything rash..." Seeing Mr. He come out, he quickly said, "Mr. He, please help. If the complainant dies in your house, I can't explain it to the magistrate."

Since Zhang Mazi had already given him face, He Chang felt he had to return the favor. He looked at Wang Xian with disgust and said, "Mr. Zhang, how can I assist?"

"Please gather all the men in your household here and let this boy identify them."

"Fine, I'll do it for Mr. Zhang," Mr. He said reluctantly. "He Fu, do as Mr. Zhang says."

"Yes." He Fu went to gather the household staff, and soon fifteen men, including the gatekeepers, guards, accountants, and cooks, gathered in the front yard.

"Are these all the men?" Zhang Mazi asked.

"Yes," He Chang nodded. "Do you want to call my eight-year-old son as well?"

"Of course not," Zhang Mazi smiled awkwardly and turned to the boy. "What are you waiting for? Identify them!"

Shuai Hui walked over and looked at them, then shook his head, "Not here."

"Not here, but not there," Mr. He snorted. "Are you satisfied now?"

"Who are you trying to fool?" Wang Xian shouted. "I've already found out that your household has eight guards, but only two are here. Where are the other six?"

Mr. He looked at Wang Xian in surprise, not expecting him to be so well-prepared. He snorted, "The harvest was poor, and we can't afford to keep so many idle people. We sent them home long ago."

"Liar, I saw one of them just the day before yesterday!" Shuai Hui, seeing him deny it, became furious. "That guy had a lump on his head; I'm sure it's him!"

"Mr. Zhang, he must be hiding the criminals!" Wang Xian shouted. "Search the house, you'll definitely find them!"

"Nonsense, this is a gentleman's residence; you can't search it randomly," Zhang Mazi said angrily. Seeing Wang Xian raise the knife to his chest, he quickly shouted, "No, no, no, let's talk this out!"

"If you don't search, you're trying to kill me. I might as well die here," Wang Xian used every trick in the book.

"Are you done yet?" Zhang Mazi said angrily. "One drama after another!"

"Just this one, if you don't find them, I'll admit it."

"If you change your mind, I won't stop you," Zhang Mazi said, trying to negotiate. "Mr. He, how about..."

"No!" Mr. He said firmly. "If you disturb the women in my household, you'll be in trouble!" Realizing his tone was too harsh, he softened it. "Don't let this ruffian bully you. I'll go with you to see the magistrate and won't let you take the blame!"

"Let's search!" a loud voice said. Hu, the head constable, appeared at the door, followed by a dozen constables and militiamen, escorting three bound men, who were three of the six who had fled to the neighboring county.

Hu bowed to Mr. He and said roughly, "My brothers caught these men outside. They confessed that there are three more accomplices in the house."

"Nonsense!" Mr. He's face changed, and he blurted out, "They all left together!"

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