Huang the Twelfth received only the rough treatment of a prison cart. By comparison, Magistrate Qiu was much better off — Magistrate Qiu was allowed a carriage, while the remaining clerks and the like went on foot.

This second trip to Sicheng County was entirely different from the first. There was no urgent rush. Zhù Ying intended to use Huang the Twelfth to “kill the chicken to frighten the monkeys” — in Fulu County, to let the local gentry of Fulu County see what happened and remind them to stay quiet and not make trouble; and in Sicheng County, to let the wronged parties there see him and be encouraged to come forward with their complaints.

The runners who had spent their days on this major case had no time to feel sorry for Sicheng County’s runners. Fulu County’s runners in particular were excited — there would be rewards. They almost wished the procession would move faster.

Leng Yun, however, did not see it this way. He had not properly appreciated the scenery on the last trip, having been entirely focused on “galloping at full speed.” Now he sometimes trotted on horseback, sometimes rode in the carriage to rest, treating it like a leisure outing — even more relaxed than the journey from the prefectural capital to Fulu County earlier. Along the way, local officials who had returned home kept catching up to join the procession at hearing the news. For instance, the supervising official from Southern Prefecture — from the moment they entered Southern Prefecture territory, he had been following along with the party.

The journey was considerably more dignified for Leng Yun now. Unlike his reluctant arrival at his posting, here he arrived in each place to find local officials — who had only just come home — receiving him with respect. They had given him trouble at the assembly meeting, but put on a very good show in person, and Leng Yun set aside his grievances for the time being, enjoying a meal and listening to music.

On the fifth day they entered Fulu County territory, and Leng Yun and the others felt that things were quite different here. With Zhù Ying at his side, the welcoming scene was still very orderly. Assistant Magistrate Guan and the others came out to receive them in a line, their faces genuinely showing anticipation. There were also ordinary people watching, who called out warm greetings entirely unlike the staged tributes of village elders arranged to offer cups of wine elsewhere. You could tell that the people of Fulu County had not been coached; they spoke purely from their own hearts — so much so that occasionally someone said something a little off and got pulled back by the people beside them. There was even one who called out “the pale-faced young lord is so handsome!”

The people were not afraid of Zhù Ying either. After paying their respects they all greeted her warmly, asking if she was tired from the road. Some chatted with her casually — saying it had rained two days ago, watch the road, mind the horses don’t slip on their hooves.

Leng Yun’s spirits lifted with the surrounding mood. He only wished he were better at the local dialect so he could do more than just understand the general gist. The only dialect phrases he knew were things like “Come, bring something for the elder to eat” and a handful of others.

Once inside Fulu County proper there was another day’s travel before they reached the county yamen, and all along the way there were onlookers and people calling greetings. Bold women called out to Zhù Ying: “Got guests?”

Zhù Ying said to Leng Yun: “This is an elderly woman who often talks with my mother.” Then to the old woman: “This is no ordinary guest.”

Zhù Ying also introduced him to the townspeople, and when they heard who he was they were all rather awed, their bows scattered and uneven. But seeing him laughing and chatting with Zhù Ying they gradually relaxed, and wished him well too. Leng Yun waved back.

At the county yamen gate the runners were already lined up, and Zhù Ying’s father and Zhang Xiangu, familiar old faces, stood at the center of a small crowd to welcome him.

Leng Yun was in high spirits. He had temporarily forgotten everything at the Prefectural Governor’s compound, dismounted, and came before Zhù Ying’s father and Zhang Xiangu, saying: “How is it you both came out?”

Zhù Ying’s father said: “When an honored guest deigns to visit our humble place, how could we not come to meet him?”

Zhang Xiangu said: “All these years, and you are the only great official who has ever come to see us!”

Zhù Ying said: “Everyone stop blocking the doorway — let’s invite the lord inside to change his clothes.” It was hot, and Leng Yun was slightly delicate in constitution, easily breaking into a sweat.

The county yamen had long since prepared accommodations. Hou Wu led Leng Yun to change, then guided him to the main hall, where the officials and clerks of the county came to pay their respects. Zhù Ying introduced each one in turn, seating the male and female jail supervisors together, arranging Xiang Le and Xiang An side by side, and having Xiao Jiang present alongside the county coroner. She gave special mention to Xiao Jiang: “She is from the capital and has been residing here. The county has her to thank for its proficiency in standard Mandarin.”

Leng Yun was in excellent spirits and nodded warmly at even minor clerks and white-duty attendants: “Very good, very good.”

The local officials had received Prefectural Governor Lu once before, and Assistant Magistrate Guan had not arranged for everyone to be presented to the governor at that time. Not expecting that this time everyone would have a turn, they were all quietly pleased — I have seen the Prefectural Governor! And Prefectural Governor Leng is rather handsome.

Next came Captain Ding, who as the local garrison commander was one of the county’s prominent figures. Leng Yun remembered him too, and said: “Ah, you! I know you” — the one whose subordinates had loose lips!

Then came the county’s local gentry. Huang the Twelfth was placed behind Lin Weng. Only at this moment did he feel that all the ups and downs since moving to Fulu County had been worthwhile. He only regretted not having moved here sooner. Among the people Zhù Ying was giving special introductions, there was the Widow Chang — described as someone very capable in business, which was no easy feat — and Zhao Ze, whose son Zhao Su was now a student at the Imperial Academy and had been instrumental in maintaining the trade market. Then Gu Weng, who had been the first gentry member to respond to the draft-oxen rental arrangement.

The gentry members had not expected Zhù Ying to have remembered all their contributions, and many were moved and grateful. Wang Weng was so overwhelmed with nerves that he fainted and missed everything that followed. Huang the Twelfth had little to distinguish himself and could only stand in the background. He tried to push forward to get off a flattering remark but was immediately sandwiched from either side and warned to behave himself, so he reluctantly bided his time. He thought to himself: I wonder what it is the county magistrate and the Prefectural Governor both like?

Zhù Ying finally led a young man and young woman before Leng Yun: “My lord, these two are children of the Ying people.” Su Mingluan was still up in the mountains; these two were representatives from among the boarding students, and also called Zhù Ying their teacher.

Leng Yun looked at them curiously and said: “If you hadn’t told me, I would never have been able to see anything unusual about them.” Compared to the impoverished commoners of Fulu County, these two — in their appearance, dress, and bearing — were actually more what Leng Yun was accustomed to seeing.

Once everyone had been presented, Zhù Ying said: “The banquet is ready, my lord, please.”

The banquet was not set in the county yamen but by the riverside, in a building constructed of green bamboo that looked delightfully cool just to behold. At the center hung a plaque inscribed with “Qingfeng Tower — the Tower of Fresh Breezes.” Leng Yun said: “Excellent!”

Zhù Ying assigned people to see to Leng Yun’s retinue and said to Leng Yun: “This is the place. It also has sleeping quarters — if you like it, you’re welcome to stay here. What do you think?”

Leng Yun climbed to the third floor and had the entire county town spread out before him. He said: “Excellent!”

Zhù Ying pointed to the buildings below: “All of those can accommodate guests.” She also described the resting areas on the third floor itself. Compared to what Leng Yun was accustomed to, this bamboo building could only be described as fairly modest, though it had the advantage of being quite novel. The banquet table offered the usual chicken, duck, fish, and meat, plus Fulu County’s signature oranges and mountain produce. Because of the excellent relationship with the A-Su family, Fulu County had an abundance of rarely-seen mountain goods, and there was also tea grown by the A-Su family. Though it might not have been to Leng Yun’s taste, his attendants and runners among the retinue found it quite good.

Leng Yun sat in the high seat, all the gloom that had been weighing on him swept away: “It’s still you who treats me best.”

Zhù Ying thought to herself: If I let him stay here many more days, he will start finding it shabby and me boring.

Can’t let him stay too long!

Zhù Ying timed things carefully. The next morning she did not call on Leng Yun until close to noon, by which time he had only just gotten out of bed. After traveling for days he was genuinely a bit worn out. Seeing that Zhù Ying was not wearing her official robes, he chose not to wear his either, and asked: “Is there something to show me?”

Zhù Ying said: “There is.”

She first took him to the storehouse, where they sat among a pile of oranges and ate some — a different experience from the banquet. Leng Yun ate two in a row. Then Zhù Ying took him to see the wheat seed storage, scooped up some seed, and explained to him what good seed looked like.

For lunch she invited him to her own home for a homestyle meal, prepared by Lady Qi.

After eating, in the rear quarters, Zhù Ying invited Leng Yun to change into something even simpler, then brought him to the market. The most entertaining part of the market was a cluster of crude signs with characters missing strokes, and some charming homophone mistakes that produced unintentional puns.

Leng Yun watched Zhù Ying crouch in front of a stall and chat with a vendor, and he imitated her and crouched as well. Vendor after vendor came over bearing little trinkets and knickknacks — some put things down and walked away, others put things down and stood watching, all seemingly at ease and unintimidated. Leng Yun laughed: “Is this what you’re like every day?”

Zhù Ying said: “Mm. What would be the point if everyone kept their distance? My father and mother can’t sit still at home either — they love a bit of liveliness. When I’m busy I have no way to keep them company, so they come out and have people to talk with.”

“That can’t be easy.”

The two of them crouched in front of the vendor stalls chatting until Master Dong, the Southern Prefecture supervising official, and others came looking for them — only then did they stand up and stomp their feet, which had gone numb.

That evening there was another dinner, again with Fulu County’s various local specialties, and Zhù Ying also introduced merchants — for instance, the Xiang family, who dealt in mountain produce. She deliberately had people wrap up packages near the bamboo tower, making sure the retinue saw her preparing specialty gifts to take back for everyone.

The second day, Zhù Ying finished her arrangements at the county yamen and went to the bamboo tower. Leng Yun had again only just gotten out of bed. He saw her and said: “Don’t you need to handle official business? Go ahead and get on with it.”

Zhù Ying said: “No rush, no rush. It’s not yet harvest time, and everything else goes quickly.”

As they were talking, Xiao Wu slipped in and hid in a corner, gesturing to Zhù Ying. The bamboo floor creaked at every step, and Leng Yun had already noticed. He asked what the matter was.

Xiao Wu ducked his neck in. Leng Yun said: “You little scoundrel! When you’re here with him, you stop answering to me?”

Xiao Wu quickly knelt: “My lord, I did not want to trouble you — it is only a case matter.”

Leng Yun was amused: “A case? Sanlang, we know something about those! Let’s have a look!”

Xiao Wu raised a document over his head.

……

This was the case in which Li Da had brought charges against Huang the Twelfth.

The document was the one previously sent from Sicheng County. Zhù Ying had already seen it but feigned urgency about going to see Leng Yun, as if she had not yet read it. Xiao Wu pretended he had only just returned from the Prefectural Governor’s office and discovered it while sorting documents.

The document did not say “private court of punishment” — it listed only “abduction of a woman,” “tyrannizing the locality,” and several similar charges. Leng Yun said: “Clearly a minor matter. But what does it have to do with Sicheng County?”

Zhù Ying said: “He was originally from Sicheng County and moved here only recently. The complainants followed him here from Sicheng County. I sent an official communication to Sicheng County, and they said the matter falls under their jurisdiction.”

Leng Yun had been ground down by endless turf battles at the Prefectural Governor’s compound — nothing infuriated him more than this kind of squabbling: “What on earth is Sicheng County quibbling about?! Having you handle it is better than having anyone else handle it!”

Zhù Ying said: “They are not entirely without reason. But now that it has fallen into my hands, I want to see it handled properly. Xiao Wu, have Gu Tong draft an official communication stating that this matter should fall under our jurisdiction.”

Leng Yun said: “Why bother with a communication? Tell them to send the parties involved here!”

Zhù Ying said: “Both the plaintiff and the defendant are already here. The only thing missing is witness testimony and physical evidence — and the Huang family is still over there. When you go on your inspection tour later, if you happen to go to his place, don’t raise this matter. This is between me and Magistrate Qiu, and if you get involved it will look as though I went to you to file a complaint, which isn’t worth it.”

“Oh.” Leng Yun thought it over and agreed, so let the matter go.

After the meal that day, Zhù Ying again took Leng Yun out for a stroll.

Leng Yun said: “You just wander around?”

“Wandering around is how you get to know people’s livelihoods!” Zhù Ying said. “Once they all know me, they won’t think I’m a swindler when I tell them something.”

Just then, a woman burst out from around a corner, and upon seeing Leng Yun kowtowed at his feet: “My lord, I beg you to uphold justice!”

Leng Yun said: “Who are you?”

It was Li Fujie’s own mother. The whole family had been kept at the jail and had gained about two pounds each, but Leng Yun still found her looking frail and thin. Leng Yun understood a little of the dialect, and the old woman begged him for justice: “My lord, we’ve been bringing this case for years and still haven’t gotten my daughter back. Later we heard that Magistrate Zhù was willing to stand up for common people, so we came running here. Who could have known that our own hometown would refuse to take pity on us? They all said your rank is higher, and that you seem willing to come out and talk to folks like us, so you must be a good person — please stand up for us!”

Zhù Ying said: “Get up. What I have promised you, I will deliver.”

Leng Yun saw many onlookers all around and could not easily say he would not handle it: “Is what you are saying the truth?”

Zhù Ying said: “My lord, even asking about the case properly requires going back to the office first.”

Leng Yun said: “Very well.”

Zhù Ying casually beckoned a couple of women to help support the old woman and escort her to the county yamen, then accompanied Leng Yun back. Leng Yun said: “Let’s change our clothes.”

The casual street clothes were not suitable for hearing a case, and the two of them each went to change. While Leng Yun was changing, Master Dong said: “My lord, could this case be just a bit too much of a coincidence? Could it be that she’s using it to get you to help her stage a confrontation?”

Leng Yun stood with his arms spread for the servants to dress him, and flatly denied it: “Sanlang is not that kind of person! He always does things thoroughly and trusts in his own ability to do them well. When he really does need his superior to step in, he says so directly — he has always been completely above board. Don’t compare him to those other characters!”

Once dressed, the two went to the county yamen and sat down. Zhù Ying had the Li family ready and waiting.

Leng Yun asked his question, and the person was brought in. The main speaker was Li Fujie — she had seen more of the world than her family members and gave a clear, well-organized account.

Leng Yun asked: “How could this be? You’re truly saying you were seized by force?”

Li Fujie answered firmly: “Yes.”

Zhù Ying said: “The defendant has a different version of events. Unfortunately, Sicheng County refuses to produce the physical evidence from the time.”

Huang the Twelfth was then summoned, and the two parties confronted each other in the hall. Leng Yun listened to what Huang the Twelfth had to say and found it apparently reasonable too, and then heard that there was a contract deed as evidence. Leng Yun said: “Take the defendant into custody. I will make my inquiry first before reaching a judgment.”

Good — the defendant was locked up. Everyone involved in this case had to suppress the urge to smile.

Leng Yun moved to issue an official communication, but Zhù Ying stopped him: “Wait! Li Fujie — the last time you presented your case, you made no mention of any other capital crimes involving Huang’s family.”

Li Fujie understood: “In reply to my lord: the last time it was my elder brother who came on my behalf. Now my whole family has come forward, and I will tell my lord everything I know.”

Leng Yun said: “That makes sense.” And again moved to issue a communication.

But Zhù Ying jumped in first: “Take them into custody as well.” Then she gave Leng Yun a significant look, and the two of them withdrew from the hall.

In the record room, Leng Yun sat and said: “I’ve seen how efficient you are at the Court of Judicial Review — what is going on here?”

“It’s not right. Li Fujie never told me that Huang the Twelfth has other criminal matters — now she is about to drag in more cases, which calls for careful handling. Besides, my lord, don’t you sense something odd?”

“What would be odd? Could this be poor people trying to extort the wealthy? We’ve seen that before.”

“No,” Zhù Ying said. “I had Xiang Le make inquiries, and Huang the Twelfth has a bad reputation and has indeed mistreated people. But the villagers are uneducated and cannot clearly describe the exact nature of the wrongdoing. Even if it’s not fully established, there’s at least a fifty-fifty chance of something real there. I haven’t witnessed it personally, so I can’t say outright — I can only speculate, and without confirmation I don’t dare raise it with you.”

“Still speculating? I’ll issue the order and you go handle it!”

Zhù Ying said: “In that case, I would ask you to lend me some men. I’ll take them and ride fast to confirm my suspicion, and once confirmed make the arrests immediately. I also ask that you stay alert — if I call for support, please send people promptly.”

“What is so serious about this?”

“The charge is serious — I cannot say it aloud until it is confirmed. If I say it and I’m wrong, it harms people.”

“Is it treason?”

“That… it’s not quite that either.”

Leng Yun said: “How swift you were handling cases at the Court of Judicial Review! Has your touch left you now that you’re here? Do I have to roll up my sleeves myself?”

“I would not presume. Besides, I am accustomed to running errands — I will be faster. This matter requires speed.”

Leng Yun was growing slightly impatient and said coldly: “All this mystery!”

Zhù Ying said: “Then shall we go together and make quick work of it? Experience it firsthand? Once it is confirmed you will understand.”

“Fine.”

“Please change into something as light as possible and get the best horses. I’ll go find Captain Ding! You will need reliable soldiers and proof of your authority.”

Hearing Zhù Ying’s arrangements, Leng Yun felt his curiosity piqued — just as he had said, she was not a reckless person. His impatience gave way to something more serious.

The two made their arrangements at lightning speed. Lin Weng barely had time to register that his son-in-law was under arrest before Zhù Ying and Leng Yun were already riding out of the city with several dozen men to rendezvous with Captain Ding!

Captain Ding had been idle for some time since the last incident. For a soldier, too much idleness does not lead to promotion. He had been hoping for something to do, and when Zhù Ying told him she needed his help, he only wished he had more men so he could send a larger force to accompany her.

He first paid respects to Leng Yun, who said: “I know nothing — ask him!”

Zhù Ying said: “Move! Sicheng County! Li Da, lead the way. Xiang Le, stay with him.”

Xiang Le and Li Da shared a horse and burst into the lead; Zhù Ying and Captain Ding followed closely behind, with Leng Yun behind them. Leng Yun’s riding was not exceptional, but his horse was excellent — he was accustomed to riding every day as he owned his own horses, which made up for technique with familiarity. In a single day the party came thundering up to the outer walls of the Huang family estate, and everyone hastily fashioned some torches and lit them.

Leng Yun felt every bone in his body was about to shake loose, but gritted his teeth and held himself together without saying so.

Xiang Le said quietly: “This is it!”

Faced with a private dwelling in the darkness, Leng Yun had no idea how to proceed — he had never personally handled such a case. He asked Zhù Ying: “What do we do?”

Zhù Ying said: “Xiang Le!”

Xiang Le said: “My lord, please have Captain Ding’s men follow me.”

Zhù Ying said: “Wait — everyone, seal the gates for me first!”

She had done more than her share of estate seizures. First block the exits, then advance section by section, courtyard by courtyard. One team went straight to search for account books and such; another drove into the main reception hall. Since the head of the Huang household had already moved away, the team heading for the main hall was redirected. Xiang Le dragged Li Da along and made straight for the “imitation official hall.” After clearing one courtyard, all the people found in the compound were consolidated and placed under guard.

Worried that the Prefectural Governor’s office men might not take her orders, she assigned them to guard the gates and prevent anyone from fleeing, while her own people and Captain Ding’s men conducted the search. Xiang Le reached the “imitation official hall,” then abandoned Li Da and came running back out: “My lord! Inside there is a…”

“A private court of punishment,” Zhù Ying said.

Leng Yun said: “How can this be?!”

Zhù Ying said: “I guessed at some of it. Li Fujie mentioned five or six incidents she witnessed personally — what about those she did not witness?” She laid out her earlier reasoning.

Leng Yun said: “If you guessed it, why didn’t you say so earlier? This should have been wiped out long ago!”

Zhù Ying said: “What if I had been wrong…”

She had not finished when torchlight appeared outside and a dark crowd bearing hoes, clubs, and the like, along with several men brandishing short swords, closed in around them — the Huang family estate workers.

Leng Yun said: “They’re revolting!”

Zhù Ying said: “My lord, you cannot use those words carelessly. They may have been deceived. Come, bring the estate foreman forward.”

Xiang Le recognized the junior steward and put a blade to his throat: “Tell them to put down their weapons!”

“I’m just an errand runner — they won’t listen to me.”

Captain Ding said: “I’ll handle this.” He grabbed the head steward and ordered him to call out to the crowd. The head steward still wanted to argue, so Captain Ding drove a blade into his abdomen and kept pressing. The head steward took three stabs and died without cooperating. Captain Ding’s fighting spirit was rising, and he grabbed the second steward.

Leng Yun said: “Enough talking — act!”

Zhù Ying, sensing things were going badly, said: “Someone — shout that Huang the Twelfth is dead!”

Whether he was truly dead or not — if the head had fallen, surely not all of these men were devoted to him. Captain Ding severed the head steward’s head and held it aloft: “The head is here.”

In the darkness, most people could not clearly make out whose head it was, but they took it to mean Huang was dead. The crowd scattered. Leng Yun was drenched in cold sweat and raged: “This scoundrel maintained private soldiers — he truly was planning revolt!”

Zhù Ying said: “Clear the compound. We will stay here tonight. Send official communications — I believe this falls under Captain Chang’s jurisdiction? Best to leave him out of this. No need for him. My lord, the local yamen runners cannot be trusted here; please transfer runners from Southern Prefecture to assist with the case. Also, we must report to the court.”

What had begun as coming along to get a taste of handling a case had turned into a genuine major case landing right in front of him. Leng Yun said: “You arrange it.”

Zhù Ying said: “Yes, my lord.”

Master Dong was elderly and had not been able to keep up, so Leng Yun had only Zhù Ying before him now. The two of them felt a faint echo of their days back at the Court of Judicial Review.

Zhù Ying directed the estate seizure with complete confidence. Although her current subordinates had little experience with this, she parceled out the work and kept everyone steady. She then said: “This is a big case. No one is to pocket any gold or silver privately. Work diligently, and I will not shortchange you.”

Whether runners or soldiers, everyone trusted her word. Though tempted, most managed to restrain themselves; even those who could not hold back entirely dared not take much.

The runners dragged several barely-human shapes out of the underground jail. Leng Yun took one look and felt all his fatigue vanish — replaced by something else. He would not be sleeping tonight — the shock was too great. He peered into the underground jail once, then returned to the main room and sat down, saying: “That wretched local landowner — how utterly outrageous! Punish him thoroughly for me!”

Zhù Ying said: “Yes, my lord.” She flipped through the account books: “Congratulations, my lord.”

“What is there to congratulate about?”

“Concealed land and concealed households.”

When Zhù Ying had helped with the handover at the Prefectural Governor’s office, she had seen some of the archives and knew the figures for Sicheng County. If the acreage and registered population in Huang the Twelfth’s own ledgers were accurate, Sicheng County had no land belonging to anyone else besides him. He had been concealing a great deal of farmland and a great many households. Uncovering all of this would count as major achievements.

Leng Yun began to curse Magistrate Qiu: “A do-nothing holding down a post!”

Zhù Ying felt not a shred of sympathy for this colleague. So many people had suffered under Huang the Twelfth, so much land had been concealed — and Magistrate Qiu had never moved against Huang the Twelfth. Was that man made of stone?

The case had not yet been officially decided, so it could not be called a “seizure.” The inexperienced hands worked straight through until dawn.