Golden Rooster Fort was originally a circular fortress built by a major charcoal merchant named Cheng from Zhangzhou. Occupying over a hundred acres and rising more than three zhang high, its outer walls were constructed entirely of solid bluestone with glutinous rice paste poured into the gaps between stones. All doors and windows opened inward toward the fort’s interior. The entire fortress had only one main gate for entry and exit. Surrounding the outer wall was a small river that the Cheng family had widened to over two zhang when building the fort, turning it into a moat. Every evening when the drawbridge was raised, not even a cat could enter or leave. In these chaotic times, it was no wonder the Cheng family took such precautions. Legend had it that a rebel force of over a thousand men once tried to assault Golden Rooster Fort, besieging it for a month without success, ultimately suffering heavy casualties and fleeing in disgrace.
The great mountains surrounding Golden Rooster Fort were where the charcoal burners gathered. Whenever a kiln produced charcoal, the kiln master would hang charcoal baskets on cables at the cliff top and slide them down to the mountain base, where charcoal merchants from various regions would collect and count them, load them onto bamboo rafts, and transport them downstream to Zhangzhou before redistributing them elsewhere. Such distribution centers were numerous throughout central Fujian, though few matched this scale.
Charcoal merchants from all regions customarily lodged at Golden Rooster Fort. Charcoal that couldn’t be purchased immediately was temporarily stored within the fortress.
With severe frost already fallen, it was the season for burning and collecting charcoal. Golden Rooster Fort was bustling with charcoal merchants from everywhere, creating extraordinary liveliness. The Cheng family’s Fourth Master, Cheng Pinxian, had also arrived at the fort these past few days. For several years now, Fourth Master Cheng had been responsible for charcoal collection affairs. He was skilled at diplomacy and seemed never to encounter problems he couldn’t handle. However, this particular matter was finally causing him to furrow his brow deeply.
The Imperial Guard officer Meng Xiaowei who had taken residence in Golden Rooster Fort had instructed him to summon the leaders of the nearby charcoal burners for questioning.
As the saying goes, everything has its natural enemy. The rootless, lawless charcoal burners were constantly at odds even with kiln masters, yet they treated charcoal merchants quite differently. This was understandable—the merchants were their providers, and being one step removed, they didn’t lord over the charcoal burners daily like kiln masters did. Thus, the burners saw only their good qualities, not their faults.
However, while enjoying such respect, these merchants inevitably had to shoulder certain responsibilities, such as now.
Fourth Master Cheng grimaced privately as he sent people to invite the three charcoal-burning leaders from the vicinity, fervently praying that no major cases would entangle these charcoal-burning burners and consequently disturb the merchant families.
Meng Jianqing examined the three charcoal-burning leaders standing before him. Fourth Master Cheng introduced each one. The charcoal burners around Golden Rooster Fort were divided into three major gangs: Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, and Changle. The Zhangzhou and Quanzhou groups were equal in number, with deep-seated grudges, constantly erupted into violent conflicts. The Changle gang had the fewest members and was often oppressed by the other two, making them the most united and fiercely combative. The Zhangzhou gang leader was also surnamed Cheng, called Cheng Wugeng, and was a distant clan relative of Fourth Master Cheng. Around thirty years old, he appeared relatively steady. The Quanzhou gang leader was named Chen Yishun, who looked to be in his early forties, small in stature, and unremarkable in appearance. The Changle gang’s Lin Chongjiu was the youngest, tallest, and imposing with a fierce demeanor.
Meng Jianqing said slowly: “Please, all three of you, be seated.”
Watching their sitting postures, Meng Jianqing’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
Stand like a pine, sit like a bell.
All three men sat very steadily and calmly when facing him, all daring to meet his eyes directly. The Imperial Guard’s fearsome reputation was widespread, and Meng Jianqing was particularly notorious among them. Countless fierce criminals and self-proclaimed innocent people had trembled before him, faces ashen with terror, their will crumbling almost before he spoke.
The fierce folk customs of central Fujian truly lived up to their reputation.
Fourth Master Cheng sat uneasily nearby. He had thought bringing these three men would fulfill his duty, but Meng Jianqing seemed to want him to remain throughout as a witness. Whatever the case, this Meng Xiaowei intended to investigate, but he had no desire to become involved, yet he lacked the courage to excuse himself…
Meng Jianqing said calmly: “The charcoal burners throughout central Fujian seem to have changed from worshipping mountain gods to worshipping Chen Lao Xianggong in recent years, haven’t they?”
The three men looked at each other, and the eldest, Chen Yishun, answered first: “We don’t know much about other places. But that’s indeed the case here. After all, Chen Lao Xianggong is the deity who specifically protects people like us.”
Cheng Wugeng immediately added: “Just as opera troupes worship only Erlang Shen—does Your Excellency find this problematic?”
Meng Jianqing glanced at him: “The sage said, ‘When water is too clear, there are no fish.’ Folk worship has always followed local customs. As long as it doesn’t interfere with the greater good, the Ministry of Rites won’t scrutinize everything.”
Lin Chongjiu immediately responded: “Your Excellency means our worship of Chen Lao Xianggong interferes with the greater good?”
Meng Jianqing smiled slightly: “Last night, two charcoal merchants attempted to blow up the Chen Lao Xianggong temple at Big Camphor Tree Village. We captured one of them. According to his confession, this Chen Lao Xianggong was not a charcoal burner before his deification, but the rebel Chen Youding. After this rebel’s death, his subordinates and relatives fled into the mountains, hiding among you, fabricating this deity to deceive innocent charcoal burners into offering incense and worship, while they secretly engage in treasonous activities.”
Though he spoke these words with perfect composure, Fourth Master Cheng’s face changed color, and his breathing became labored. Even Chen Yishun and the other two, despite having weathered many storms, now showed dramatic changes in expression.
Lin Chongjiu leaped to his feet, shouting angrily: “Slanderous accusations! Where is this charcoal merchant? Bring him out for a confrontation!”
Cheng Wugeng also stood up: “Anyone who bombs a shrine should be thrown into the charcoal kiln—this bastard must be trying to frame us to save himself!”
Chen Yishun quickly prostrated himself on the ground, saying in terror: “Please, Your Excellency, see clearly! Though there are indeed many distant relatives and former subordinates of the Chen family on Golden Rooster Ridge, they all surrendered long ago and have lived peacefully these years, absolutely engaging in no treasonous activities! Though Chen Lao Xianggong shares the Chen surname, it’s only because Chen is a common surname—surely this is a mere coincidence!”
Meng Jianqing watched them for a moment before saying, “So destroying shrines results in being thrown into charcoal kilns. I wonder how many such people have been executed here on Golden Rooster Ridge over the years?”
This was truly a place where the emperor was far away. Private executions went completely unnoticed by gods and ghosts alike. Local officials had always turned a blind eye, preferring to avoid trouble, as long as these charcoal burners didn’t go too far.
By not immediately telling Chen Yishun to rise but suddenly asking about such matters, Meng Jianqing made all three men’s hearts tighten. If every case were thoroughly investigated…
However, Meng Jianqing suddenly changed direction, continuing: “But in remote areas, many matters require flexibility. It’s been hard on you to maintain local order.”
He gestured for Chen Yishun to rise, saying: “Of course, Golden Rooster Ridge isn’t some barbarous wilderness beyond civilization—it can’t completely ignore laws and regulations. If similar incidents occur in the future, it would be best to report to local authorities and handle them jointly, to avoid giving people grounds for criticism.”
The three men looked at each other. Meng Jianqing had said everything himself, leaving them momentarily uncertain how to respond.
Meng Jianqing looked at them with a half-smile, then continued: “This charcoal merchant harbored malicious intent, attempting to destroy a shrine while simultaneously harming court officials. Both publicly and privately, he is unpardonable. Since Golden Rooster Ridge has established precedent for dealing with such people, I’ll hand him over to you three.”
The two guards standing behind him had already turned to drag out the half-dead charcoal merchant from behind the screen. The merchant had heard every word clearly and now looked deathly pale, yet remained silent. Chen Yishun and the other two stared at him, their expressions varying. Meng Jianqing observed them, then suddenly smiled: “However, to serve as a warning to others, you three should return immediately to notify all kilns and select a place where everyone can witness the execution of this criminal. How about this—one of you stay to guide us, while two returns to make arrangements?”
Having just said he would hand the man over, he suddenly indicated he would accompany them to the mountain, startling Chen Yishun and the others again. Chen Yishun steadied himself and said: “Very well—I’m slower on my feet, so I’ll serve as guide while Brother Cheng and Brother Lin return to arrange things.”
Watching them leave Golden Rooster Fort, Fourth Master Cheng’s legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed.
Finally, these living demons of hell were gone. Heaven preserve us from their return… though this was likely wishful thinking. This matter clearly wouldn’t end well and would continue to cause trouble…