Chapter 170: Intimidation Through Force

Hu Li Zheng was now fifty years old, unattractive and thin, with no prominent relatives in his family. Yet his father, in his sixties, had an affair and had a daughter who grew up to be extremely beautiful. It was this sister, thirty years his junior, who happened to be encountered by the military commander of the province during one of his outings. He took her as a concubine for 100 taels of silver. As a result, Hu Li Zheng not only got 100 taels of silver but also an influential brother-in-law among high-ranking officials.

Although Hu Li Zheng was just a minor local official, even the county magistrates and clerks, after learning more about him, treated him politely. Some even used polite language when assigning tasks to him. Over time, he truly began to see himself as someone important.

Inside the county government courtyard, while the other local officials stood respectfully, he sat at the foot of the steps, grumbling. Not only did no one dare speak a word, but even the duty officers pretended not to see him. One familiar officer even took the chance to bring him a cup of hot tea, making the situation even more absurd.

“Tch, just a seventh-rank official—what’s the big deal? He expects me to serve him here every day!”

After drinking the hot tea, Hu Li Zheng stood up, glanced at the courtroom, and said to the others with a smirk, “You should have seen it too. Today, neither County Magistrate Luo nor Clerk Zhao is here, and most of the clerks are absent. If they’re not here, why should we bear the burden? I’m not serving him anymore. If you’re sensible, leave right away! There’s a saying, right… um, ‘the law doesn’t punish the crowd.’ Don’t blame me if you get into trouble later!”

With that, he strode out of the county government building and disappeared soon after. Seeing this, the other officials exchanged glances. Some glanced toward the courtroom and saw that it was indeed deserted and in disarray. After thinking for a moment, most of them asked for leave—some claiming a family member was seriously ill, some saying they felt unwell, and others making up excuses about their wives giving birth. Soon, most of them left.

To handle official documents, one needs clerks familiar with paperwork; for matters related to money and grain, the cooperation of local officials is required; and to deal with lawsuits, one must be well-versed in the Great Ming Laws. Zhang Yue had never held an official position in his past life, and it was his first time doing so in this one as well. If he was somewhat proficient in document formatting, he was almost completely ignorant of matters related to money and grain and lawsuits. He had only managed to study the Great Ming Laws over the course of a month before leaving.

Yet it is said that being an official requires experience, which is certainly true. Thus, the four attendants who had followed Zhang Xin for over a decade and were skilled in official affairs stepped in to take over his duties. With two more attendants quickly preparing documents for his approval, he could, naturally, carry out his tasks with ease.

The only surprise came from the drums that sounded in the court that morning. A commoner came to file a complaint by beating drums. After being brought in by the guards, he threw himself to the ground and burst into tears, claiming that his ox had gone missing.

Faced with such a trivial matter that still required formal complaint, the guards in the court exchanged puzzled looks. Even the clerks, who had been greatly impressed by Zhang Yue’s efficiency, were bewildered. The government office faced south, with the saying “Those with rights but no money need not come here.” It was rare to see anyone file a complaint there throughout the year, out of fear of being exploited. Now, someone had come all the way just because of a lost ox—wasn’t that crazy?

“Sir, I only have one plow ox at home. This morning, when I woke up, I found it missing. I followed its tracks and found only its skeleton, with Hu Dahai, the son of the local official from Wanli Village, sitting beside it. When I asked him where the ox was, he actually said… he actually said he and his companions had shared it and eaten it! Sir, I only have two acres of poor land and rely on that ox to make a living. Please help me, sir! Without the ox, I have no way to survive. It’s better for me to die right here in this court!”

Seeing the six-foot-tall man crying bitterly on the ground and hearing the whole story, Zhang Yue became furious. Noting the man’s honest appearance and his habit of bowing after each word, he realized he was truly an honest person. He immediately ordered that the local official involved be brought in. But when the guard returned after a short while, he reported that the local official from Wanli Village had gone back due to family matters, and most of the other local officials had also taken leave.

Although Zhang Yue had a smooth day handling official matters, it didn’t mean he would let go of those who had taken leave today. Hearing that many village chiefs had simply left without a word, he became furious. Slapping the gavel, he shouted, “The court session has just begun. Even if there are urgent matters at their homes, shouldn’t they inform this official first? To leave without permission—how bold they are! Chief Chen!”

Having offended the county magistrate before, Chief Chen had been living in constant fear these past few days. Though Zhang Yue hadn’t punished him that day and even took strange actions afterward, he still had to be cautious. Moreover, the deputy magistrate and the clerk had privately approached him, clearly implying that the new county magistrate held deep resentment toward him and urging him to think carefully about his stance.

Last night, someone had come to his house and suggested he feign illness today. He had slept until early morning, planning to act accordingly, but recalling the severe beating he had suffered, he quickly got up and rushed here to take care of things. Sure enough, upon arriving, he found that most of the clerks were absent, but all the constables were present. Fortunately, he was there; otherwise, he would have been in trouble!

At that moment, he shuddered and immediately stepped forward, bowing and asking, “What orders do you have, sir?”

“Send people down and bring back Hu, the village chief of Wanli Township!” Zhang Yue grabbed a pen and scribbled, tossing the list aside. “And bring back his son as well—the one who dared steal someone’s ox!”

Under Zhang Yue’s sharp gaze, Chief Chen didn’t care about anything else. He hurriedly left with his trusted subordinates, while the other clerks and constables were stunned. The farmer who had filed the complaint was an honest man who had risked his life; seeing such a decisive magistrate for the first time, he knelt there in shock, hands on the ground, not knowing what to do. After a while, he finally cried out, “Great and just magistrate!”

Although pretending to be ill, Luo Wei was enjoying a leisurely time at home, sipping tea and reading. He had once been just a student, and after years in office, he had long forgotten the classics—of course, he wouldn’t read the Four Books and Five Classics. Instead, he was reading a romantic novel titled *The Gathering of Beauties*, which his personal servant had just bought from the market. Though the writing was vulgar, he still enjoyed it thoroughly. When it reached the most exciting parts, he put down his teacup, breathing slightly heavily.

“Sir!”

Amidst their deep affection, the sudden noise made Luo Wei furious. He snapped angrily, “Didn’t I tell you I’m sick? Why do you have to come report things at such a time?”
That servant was Luo Wei’s personal attendant. He pushed the door open right away, closed it behind him, and rushed over in a hurry. “Sir, it’s not me disturbing you. It’s really something serious at the courthouse… Something huge has happened there! Didn’t the county magistrate send someone to ask for your seal just now? When I delivered it, I stayed behind to observe. Who would have thought those men under the county magistrate are so sharp and efficient? They handled all the official documents swiftly, reportedly without the slightest mistake!”
“How is that possible!” Luo Wei stood up immediately, full of disbelief. “Official documents aren’t essays. Even if he’s a renowned genius, he can’t handle them in such a short time. How could just a few assistants be so skilled at this?”
“Sir, there’s more!” Though he was far from qualified to address him as “sir,” the servant still called him that loudly. “Some ruffian from nowhere must have had the audacity to come and file a complaint, accusing Hu Li Zheng’s son of stealing and eating their oxen. Coincidentally, Hu Li Zheng, who should have been outside responding to calls, went back home because of earlier matters, and several other village chiefs followed him. In his anger, the county magistrate ordered them both to be captured!”
“Hu Li Zheng’s son?”
Luo Wei, who had been furious moments ago, became extremely pleased upon hearing this name. Getting Hu Li Zheng to leave early was indeed part of his plan. He hadn’t expected another event to happen so coincidentally, so he burst into laughter.
“Younglings are really younglings. Even when becoming an official here, they don’t even inquire properly. They don’t know what a protective talisman is! A mighty dragon can’t suppress a local snake. He probably thinks Hu Li Zheng is just an insignificant village chief, that’s why he’s so determined to assert his authority by arresting him. Let him go ahead. Hurry and ride a fast horse to Qingzhou Prefecture, go to the military headquarters, and inform the commander. There’s going to be some interesting action now!”
The personal servant, who had handled many secret tasks for Luo Wei, nodded understandingly, turned around, and left the room like the wind. He had been with Luo Wei for five or six years, having seen him overthrow four county magistrates. Judging from what was happening now, he knew that the ambitious young county magistrate was likely about to fall into trouble as well.
Zhang Yue, who was considered to be in trouble, was seething with anger at that moment.

Frightened by the previous lesson, Chief Chen handled the task with great efficiency. In less than an hour, he had used chains to bring back Hu Lizheng’s son, while the two officers he brought along forced Hu Lizheng into the main hall. If it had been anyone else, a heavy strike from the club followed by the officers’ shouts would have stripped them of half their spirit, but this father and son remained unharmed. The father didn’t even bother to bow to Zhang Yue, while the son kept his eyes fixed on the ceiling, as if unaware this was a court—acting even more arrogantly than at home.

While Chief Chen was arresting them, Zhang Yue had already ordered detailed records of the case to be made, had the farmer sign his confession, and sent several secretly assigned officers to find witnesses and obtain their testimony. He also found the bones of the cattle that had been eaten and gathered evidence of the father and son’s numerous misdeeds, already knowing everything about them. Seeing the situation, it was clear to him that the father and son didn’t take him seriously at all. So, upon seeing their arrogance, he didn’t ask further and simply raised the gavel and struck it hard.

“According to the laws of the Great Ming, anyone who steals horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, pigs, sheep, chickens, dogs, geese, or ducks is to be punished as a thief, including the stolen goods. If they steal government livestock, they are treated as ordinary thieves stealing government property. If they steal horses or cattle and kill them, they shall be given 100 blows with a rod and three years of hard labor. The bold Hu Dahai—stealing a cow and then sharing it among himself—deserves 100 blows with a rod and three years of hard labor! Officers, have him sign his confession and then take him out for punishment!”

Hu Lizheng and his son Hu Dahai never expected Zhang Yue to sentence them without even asking questions. It wasn’t until the officers approached that they woke up from their stupor. Hu Dahai immediately shook off the two officers and shouted defiantly, “What’s the big deal about eating one of their cows? I’ve eaten plenty of their cows, sheep, chickens, and dogs in the past. Who dares accuse me? My uncle is the military commander of this province—be careful, or he might cut off your head, you lowly seventh-rank official!”

Chief Chen felt chilled by Zhang Yue’s sinister gaze and had no choice but to roll up his sleeves and arrest them himself, inwardly groaning. Hu Dahai was one of the most scoundrelous men in the area. He had already dealt with him once, and now he had to arrest him again to beat him—definitely not a pleasant task. If possible, he would have stayed far away. But after experiencing Peng Shisan’s cruel tactics at the ferry last time, he certainly didn’t want to go through it again. For now, he could only focus on dealing with what was in front of him.

“Wait!” Zhang Yue spoke up as Chief Chen hesitated, asking calmly, “You really ate other people’s cows, sheep, chickens, and dogs? Didn’t the previous county magistrate even punish you for that?”

Thinking Zhang Yue was now afraid, Hu Dahai immediately raised his head proudly and said, “That’s right!”

“It seems I indeed made a wrong judgment,” Zhang Yue immediately retracted his words. Seeing the farmer, who had been full of hope, now look utterly disappointed, he paused briefly before saying viciously, “In court, since you admit to having eaten other people’s cattle, sheep, chickens, and dogs before, I will consider it an admission! Given the multiple crimes, an additional penalty for theft shall be imposed. Come, drag him down and administer ninety lashes outside the wall in the street!”
This unexpected turn of events shocked everyone present. Hu Li, who had been stroking his beard and looking relaxed, suddenly froze. He had thought the officials wouldn’t dare act, but while Chief Chen was still stunned, two officials rushed forward from the back of the hall, skillfully twisted his son’s arms, and then dragged him away as if he weighed nothing.
Seeing this, he snapped out of his daze and pointed at Zhang Yue, cursing, “My brother-in-law is the commander of the military! You insignificant official, release my son immediately, or you’ll never hold this position!”
No sooner had he spoken than he heard Zhang Yue’s reply, “Village head Hu San, leaving your post without permission is an act of disrespect toward your superiors. Shouting in court and insulting the county magistrate is punishable as a commoner insulting an official. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, a commoner who insults the county magistrate shall receive 100 lashes minus three levels, with an additional level for disrespecting superiors, making it 80 lashes in total—execute him right away!”