As it turned out, Lord Zhang was even quicker than Consort Yun had anticipated. When he heard that the Prince of Huaiyang had allegedly allowed his wife’s brother to commit such acts as murder and prison escape, he was furious.
As a senior official who had served three emperors, known for his upright and unyielding character, if he were to ignore this and return to the capital to report to the emperor, wouldn’t people say he was bullying the weak and fearing the strong, afraid of the Prince of Huaiyang?
Even if the Prince of Huaiyang had eternal merit, he couldn’t trample on the law. If such a person were allowed to enter the capital to assist in governance, wouldn’t it disrupt the moral order of Great Yan?
Thus, Lord Zhang, carrying thunderous anger, traveled through the night and quickly arrived outside Zhenzhou city.
Lord Zhang Pangguang was experienced in conducting imperial investigations, and he was thorough in exposing people’s shortcomings. He didn’t even meet with the official sent by the Prince of Huaiyang to welcome him, but instead headed straight for the yamen of Zhao County.
Of course, Lord Zhang didn’t come alone. Since he was investigating the Prince of Huaiyang, who held military power, he had to be cautious of the prince potentially turning against him. A man who dared to slaughter barbarian cities in the Northwest and allow his wife’s brother to commit murder, what wouldn’t he dare to do?
So when passing through Hui Province, the King of Sui, who was about to go to the capital, lent his subordinate General Wu to Lord Zhang.
If the Prince of Huaiyang dared to harm a court official, then he couldn’t blame the Hui Province troops for marching towards Zhenzhou. At that time, it would confirm the Prince of Huaiyang’s crime of rebellion, and a large army could be sent to suppress him. With such a stain on his reputation, would the common people still trust him?
When the massive entourage headed towards Zhao County, the county magistrate was eating in his office. Seeing the sudden visit of the official inspecting Jiangnan, he hurriedly came out to welcome him.
Lord Zhang, maintaining his composure, first inquired about some county affairs, then suddenly asked to visit the prison.
The county magistrate repeatedly led the way, bringing Lord Zhang and his group directly to the prison. Upon arriving, Lord Zhang asked for the register of prisoner names. Scanning it with his eyes, he immediately saw Liu Zhanpeng’s name, and the time of his imprisonment matched the secret report.
Feeling more confident, Lord Zhang’s face darkened as he asked the county magistrate what crime Liu Zhanpeng had committed.
Unexpectedly, the county magistrate hesitated, saying only that the investigation was still ongoing, and they hadn’t concluded the suspect’s crime yet.
General Wu beside him sneered, “Is it that there’s no conclusion, or that you dare not conclude? I’ve heard that this suspect is being treated to good food and wine in prison, even more comfortable than the gentry outside.”
The county magistrate replied with a pleasant expression, “Since he’s a suspect and not convicted, I naturally treat him with courtesy. After all, I’m just a minor official, and we’re all from the same area. We’ll have to face each other in the future…”
Lord Zhang also snorted coldly, “From the same area? I think you’re harboring a fugitive from another province! As I came here, I saw wanted posters for fugitives plastered all over the countryside bulletin boards. There was a Liu Zhanpeng who killed someone and escaped from a labor camp in the Northern Desert. How is it that when he came here, you’re treating him to good food and drink?”
The county magistrate looked at Lord Zhang carefully and said cautiously, “My lord, have you misunderstood something?”
General Wu, his face full of fat, said crossly, “Misunderstood? Do you take a senior official who has served three emperors for a fool? Today, Lord Zhang is here to see how the local officials of Zhenzhou are shielding the fugitive Liu Zhanpeng, concealing him and perverting the law!”
Hearing this, the county magistrate stood up straight and stared directly at General Wu, saying, “What official position does this general hold? Why do you keep interrupting my conversation with Lord Zhang? You’re throwing mud at me with every word. Did I perhaps deal with one of your relatives in a previous case, and now you’re seeking private revenge?”
General Wu angrily slammed the table, “You little pipsqueak of an official, how dare you accuse me of revenge! Watch Lord Zhang strip you of your dog skin today!”
The county magistrate also coldly sneered, his face darkening. As the youngest son of Mama Li, his dark face bore a resemblance to his mother’s. His expression as he looked at people was as if he were looking at some pickled trash. He said disdainfully, “I am a properly examined and appointed official. Although my position is not high, I am still part of the emperor’s household, diligently serving the court every day, not daring to betray this official robe and the black hat on my head. Why is it that in your mouth, general, the robe of a local official becomes ‘dog skin’? Is your armor perhaps the tiger skin of one who borrows the tiger’s might?”
“You…” General Wu, unable to out-talk this literary-trained official, became flushed with anger.
Lord Zhang, uninterested in their verbal sparring, coldly said, “Bring that Liu Zhanpeng for questioning!”
“Wait!” The county magistrate raised his hand, “Although my position is lowly, I am still the father and mother official of the local people. If Lord Zhang wants to investigate a case under my jurisdiction, shouldn’t you at least explain the reason to me, so that I know where I’ve erred?”
Lord Zhang was almost amused by this glib-tongued minor official, “Haven’t I made myself clear? The court fugitive Liu Zhanpeng has been in your prison for days, yet you’ve concealed it and delayed closing the case. If this isn’t harboring, what is it? As for the reason? I’ll know everything clearly after I question the Prince of Huaiyang.”
The county magistrate’s small eyes grew wider as he listened until finally, he burst out laughing, “Lord Zhang, forgive my ignorance, but may I ask, even if this fugitive did escape to Zhao County, what does it have to do with the Prince of Huaiyang?”
Zhang Pangguang was angered by the county magistrate’s frivolous attitude. He sternly said, “Does the county magistrate truly not know? That Liu Zhanpeng is the brother of the Prince of Huaiyang’s wife.”
The county magistrate stopped smiling and asked with wide eyes, “Then how old is this Liu Zhanpeng?”
Lord Zhang had thoroughly reviewed Liu Zhanpeng’s file before coming and had memorized it. So hearing the county magistrate’s question, he said with a stern face, “He is thirty years old, but unfortunately has repeatedly gone astray. The Prince of Huaiyang’s protection of such an unforgivable person truly damages his reputation!”
The county magistrate seemed to have nothing more to say and turned to instruct the bailiffs, “Go and bring that Liu Zhanpeng here!”
Hearing this, General Wu felt refreshed, feeling that he hadn’t let down the King of Sui’s trust and that this mission could be completed satisfactorily.
Lord Zhang, looking pained, was thinking about how to question the Prince of Huaiyang and report to the court about his harboring of a murderous fugitive.
At this moment, the sound of foot shackles came from outside. The bailiffs were seen supporting an old man with white hair and a beard, his face full of wrinkles, as he walked in.
The old man was wearing prison clothes and had shackles on his feet. As he entered, he cried out, “Great and righteous lord, I… I’ve been wronged!”
Lord Zhang and General Wu were both stunned. General Wu, in particular, glared and said, “County Magistrate, who is this person you’ve brought to fool Lord Zhang?”
The county magistrate unhurriedly took out a purple clay teapot from his bosom, took a sip of tea, and said, “This is Liu Zhanpeng, who has been imprisoned in our county yamen. He’s originally from Huaixi in Hui Province, used to farm ten mu of poor land, had a virtuous wife and filial children, and lived a fairly peaceful life. Unfortunately, later on, the King of Sui’s nephew wanted to occupy land to build a hunting ground and forcibly took his family’s fields.
This old Liu couldn’t get justice in Hui Province and was instead falsely accused of stealing supplies that the King of Sui was sending to the Northwest. His entire family, except for a nursing infant grandchild, was thrown into prison. After I took over Zhao County and sorted through old case files, I found a local theft case that seemed to be related to the Liu family.
So I temporarily sent a letter to the magistrate of Huaixi County, asking him to send this Liu Zhanpeng to Zhao County to assist in the investigation… But as we questioned him, we felt that this was a wrongful case from Huaixi County. Because I pitied his broken family and the fact that his wife had died in prison, I treated him with courtesy and instructed the servants to give him the leftover food and wine from my meals… I don’t know how this turned into such an outrageous accusation of me harboring a murderer!”
General Wu listened with his eyes wide open, “How dare you! You dog of an official, you dare to slander the King of Sui!”
The county magistrate heavily put down his purple clay teapot and laughed coldly, “No matter how daring I am, I wouldn’t dare to randomly use a decrepit old man to impersonate the Prince of Huaiyang’s brother-in-law! You, General Wu, accuse the Prince of Huaiyang of harboring a murderous fugitive with just one word. Isn’t that much more daring than me!”
At this time, the Zhao County yamen was in chaos. Lord Zhang’s capable subordinates were checking files and investigating old cases. After this investigation, they found that this old man was indeed called Liu Zhanpeng, coincidentally sharing the same name as the fugitive.
The facts were indeed as the county magistrate had said. He was originally a well-off farmer. The case mentioned by the county magistrate did indeed have discrepancies, and after investigation and visits, it was found to be a huge miscarriage of justice.
However, when a farming household was framed, it was like crushing an ant’s nest. Who would bother to care? Perhaps even the King of Sui’s evil nephew had forgotten about this family.
But now, the county magistrate had solemnly placed this case before Lord Zhang Pangguang, a senior official who had served three emperors. Even if it was an insignificant local case, Lord Zhang, despite his embarrassment and for the sake of his reputation for wisdom, had to investigate it thoroughly!
Not to mention the officials in the Zhao County yamen who were running around busily.
Mian Tang was in the hall of the prince’s mansion, drinking tea with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.
Cui Fu had just returned from the Lian family, her face unable to hide her anger. As she sat down, she complained to her mother, “Mother, is that sister of yours reincarnated from a catfish spirit? Her mouth is truly big! Does she think her daughter who lost her chastity is gold-plated? How much money did she sell for after all?”
Mian Tang obediently poured tea for her sister-in-law from the side, “Sister, please calm down. Aunt Lian is a bit proud and cares about-face, which is understandable. Our family doesn’t lack money, so whatever she wants, we can just give it to her.”
Hearing this, Cui Fu glared, “How lucky for her! Is this how you let Mother be bullied by her before? As a daughter-in-law, how can you not distinguish between insiders and outsiders?”
Mian Tang timidly lowered her head and said softly, “Sister’s reprimand is right, but I always find it hard to be harsh.”
The Duchess of Chu beside them was stunned—when Mian Tang had held a knife to Aunt Lian’s throat before, she hadn’t seen her being so shy!