Chapter 52

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When they returned to the constable's office, the two senior officers were still grinning from ear to ear.

"Damn, it's no wonder it's a family tradition!" Zhang Mazi, his excitement making every pimple on his face shine, grinned widely and said, "This one time is worth ten of ours!"

"Truly, 'each generation has its outstanding talents, and the new replaces the old'!" Zang Dianli also praised, "I only planned to help you earn some money for wine, but who knew you were a master at extortion!"

Wang Xian was embarrassed. It wasn't really a family tradition; this was more like an innate skill... After all, a CPA who can't extort isn't a good CPA. As for principles, they had long been devoured by audit reports.

"Cough, cough..." Wang Xian cleared his throat and handed the brocade pouch to Zang Dianli, "I just wanted to vent my anger. You guys can split the money."

"How can you say that? If you don't take it, you're looking down on us!" Zang Dianli insisted, "There are five bars in total. We each get one, and the remaining two, one for Lord Li and one for Lord Wang. After all, we used their names, and if there's trouble, they'll have to clean it up."

Wang Xian reluctantly took two gold bars, wondering if this counted as the 'black money' his father mentioned. Well, he'd deal with it when his father returned. After all, in his previous life, he was a cultured person and had no interest in such blatant extortion. He wouldn't have done this if it weren't for Li Sheng.

"Do we need to deal with Master Ma Si?" Zhang Mazi, delighted, asked in a low voice, "Li Sheng seems to have sought his help and scolded our Master Hu yesterday. But the underlying message is that he's upset we're keeping it all to ourselves."

"We don't need to worry about him," Zang Dianli said indifferently, "Just give him a few strings of cash to get rid of him." In the government office, officials were respected, but clerks were lowly. However, officials were outsiders with little support, while clerks were locals and formed groups. Whether officials could control the clerks or the clerks could counter the officials depended on the struggle. Clearly, Master Ma Si hadn't established his authority, so his presence was minimal...

After dividing the loot, Zhang Mazi asked Wang Xian, "By the way, you said Lord Wang is going to be the prison warden of the criminal court. Is that true?"

"Is the warrant in your hand real or not?" Wang Xian smiled and countered.

"Oh..." Zhang Mazi paused, then laughed heartily, "You're really cunning!"

In fact, Li Sheng's guess was spot on. The confession of He Chang and the investigation by the censorate were all fabricated by Zang Dianli and Zhang Mazi to extort money from him. But the key was that his instigation of He Chang had been discovered. He feared that if he didn't comply, the other party would report him, and with that cold and stern temperament, a thorough investigation was inevitable!

Li Sheng was hoping for He Chang's execution, so there would be no one to testify against him. Once the threat was eliminated, he wouldn't have much to fear.

Zang Dianli and Zhang Mazi, seasoned clerks, understood this psychology and frequently extorted him. The closer it got to the execution, the easier it was to extort. After this opportunity, they wouldn't be able to succeed.

As for Wang Xingye, since he came to the capital, he hadn't contacted his family, so Wang Xian had no idea about his latest situation. It was all just speculation. But at this critical moment, Li Sheng didn't dare to disbelieve... He also hoped that Wang Xingye would let him off for the sake of the money...

Excitedly rubbing the gold bars, Zhang Mazi said, "Shall we go again tomorrow?"

"Cough, cough..." Wang Xian cleared his throat, "Isn't that a bit much?"

"We can't afford to wait," Zang Dianli said with a sense of urgency, "The sheep may be fat, but there are many tigers and wolves. If we act slowly, Wang Bapi will get all the benefits."

"True," Wang Xian nodded. Wang Ziyao wasn't a good person either. He had seen his assigned quarters, which were indeed a separate house. But after entering, he found that it had been neglected for two years and needed major repairs, which dampened his spirits.

For the next half month, Wang Xian's life was very comfortable. Zhang Hua and Xun Dianli took most of the people to the countryside, leaving him with a dozen or so to stay behind. Since Zhang Sihu was afraid of trouble, he took all the seals of the household department with him, so Wang Xian could only handle daily affairs and familiarize himself with the work, which was very relaxed.

In his free time, he was often invited to banquets and feasts. Every few days, he would return home to stay overnight, always bringing something, whether a chicken or a fish, to improve his family's diet. He even felt that living like this for the rest of his life wouldn't be a failure.

Until that day, when he witnessed that scene...

It was the 17th of October, not a day for accepting complaints, and the government office was quiet. Wang Xian was drinking tea and chatting with Wu Wei in his office when he suddenly heard the sound of a drum. Wu Wei was surprised and said, "Someone is hitting the drum to appeal!" He then opened the side window to look out.

Wang Xian's office was on the top floor, and the side window faced the main gate. He saw the bailiffs rush out to check, and soon they hurried back to report to the magistrate.

The drum sound echoed through the government office, alarming the magistrate in the signing room. This was the first time someone had hit the drum to appeal since he took office. Wei Zhixian was somewhat excited, ordering his attendants to prepare his attire and instructing them to sound the gong and ascend the court to hear the case.

But Sima Shu, the experienced clerk, reminded him, "Master, yesterday was the day for accepting complaints. Why would the complainant wait until today? We should understand the situation first."

"What's the problem? It's a sudden matter," Wei Zhixian said nonchalantly. "Besides, according to the rules of the dynasty, if someone hits the drum, we must immediately ascend the court, without delay."

As he spoke, a bailiff came in to report, "Your Excellency, it's bad, someone is hitting the drum to appeal!"

"I heard it already," Wei Zhixian glared at him, "Who is it?"

"A group of scholars from the county school."

"Ah..." Wei Zhixian was shocked and no longer eager to proceed, "What's the matter?"

"They won't say. They want to submit their petition when you ascend the court," the bailiff replied.

"..." Wei Zhixian frowned and looked at Sima Shu. If a group of scholars was collectively appealing, it must be a serious matter. Wei Zhixian, who had been in office for less than a year, instinctively thought about suppressing the issue rather than solving it.

Sima Shu also frowned, "We can only see how it goes. If you find it difficult, you can accept the petition and schedule the hearing for another day."

"Indeed," Wei Zhixian nodded and left the signing room, sitting in the second hall.

"Ascend the court..." The bailiffs, who had cursed a hundred times in their hearts, called out loudly.

"Who hit the drum?" Wei Zhixian slapped the gavel.

"Your Excellency," Zang Dianli of the criminal department reported, "It's twelve scholars from our county, including Li Yu and Yu Yifan, who are accusing the household department clerk Zhang Hua and the clerk Xun Santai of fabricating charges, extorting, harassing women, and oppressing the people, among eighteen crimes!"

"Oh..." Wei Zhixian's head ached. The tax collection deadline was approaching, and he hadn't even reached half. He had been pressing hard, and it seemed the lower ranks had used some means. He didn't expect such a quick backlash, especially from scholars, who were the most troublesome.

"Bring them in," Wei Zhixian said weakly.

Soon, a dozen scholars, dressed in jade-colored robes with wide sleeves and black silk sashes, and wearing black soft caps with long tassels, entered with their heads held high and faces stern.

After standing in the hall, the scholars bowed to Wei Zhixian, which was considered a form of greeting. In the Ming Dynasty, scholars were treated with respect, and once they passed the examination, they could see officials without kneeling or being punished. Since they were appealing against the government, they didn't even bow.

Wei Zhixian, who had once been a scholar, had a natural fondness for these students, provided they didn't cause trouble. He didn't slap the gavel and said kindly, "Why are you not studying in the school, but here in my office?"

"Your Excellency," the scholar who spoke was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, handsome and robust, and was the leader, Li Yu. He bowed and said respectfully, "We should focus on our studies and not be distracted by worldly affairs. However, when injustice occurs in the countryside and the people suffer, we cannot turn a blind eye. We study to serve the state and benefit the people, so we cannot remain indifferent."

"What injustice?" Wei Zhixian's face darkened.

"Several clerks, including Zhang Hua, have openly violated the law, impersonated you, and led their henchmen to the countryside to collect taxes, extorting and oppressing the people, causing great harm. We request that you immediately arrest them and punish them severely to restore public confidence and clarity!" Li Yu said with righteous indignation.

"Do you have evidence?" Wei Zhixian asked.

"Your Excellency, we are the descendants of the sage. How could we falsely accuse without evidence?" Li Yu said loudly, "We have nearly a hundred pieces of evidence, which are clear and convincing. Please arrest these villains immediately!" As he finished, two scholars each presented a thick stack of petitions to the court.

"Additionally, the people of our county have jointly signed a blood petition to you!" Another scholar, thin and sullen, unfolded a thick scroll, revealing hundreds of blood handprints. He read aloud, "In the past, Confucius said, 'Young men, remember this: harsh government is more terrible than tigers!' Now, the evil officials of Fuyang are worse than tigers and wolves..."

The petition, "A Proclamation for the People Against Corrupt Officials," was written with great force. When read aloud in court, it was like a slap in the face, leaving a deep impression. Wei Zhixian was stunned but couldn't stop it, so he endured it until the end and then said impatiently, "I have accepted your petition. After reviewing it, I will schedule a hearing!" He slapped the gavel and said, "Court dismissed!"

"Not so fast!" The scholars immediately became noisy, "Your Excellency, you cannot delay!"

The bailiffs tried to restore order, but it was useless. The scholars rushed forward, surrounding Wei Zhixian, "When the people are in distress, how can you delay? Please issue the warrant to arrest the criminals immediately!"

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