Chapter 186: The Magistrate of Jinman County

Yang Huahua glanced at Yang Wang and said, “Go back and tell them I’ve agreed to this. Have them send over the silver and silk, and I’ll make sure they get the beauty back with them.”
Yang Wang was shocked. There were rules for marriages between the imperial court and foreign tribes—things couldn’t be decided just by saying so. Others might not know, but he was the head of the Protocol Office in the Ministry of Rites. If the emperor found out, he would surely be dismissed from his position.
He hurriedly said, “Auntie, there are rules for this. Even if you agree, the king must formally propose marriage, and it must be reviewed by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Office before being submitted to the emperor for approval. Only then can it be decided who will go as part of the marriage alliance. If you want to help, you can only persuade the emperor at that time; otherwise, the barbarians will laugh at the Tang Dynasty…”
Before he could finish, Yang Huahua waved her hand impatiently. “I don’t care about your stupid rules. My rule is to see the money first, then deliver the goods. Their money must be kept first. As for the court’s rules, you go and explain them to them.”
“Yes! I’ll go explain it to them right away.”
Yang Wang wiped the cold sweat from his brow and slowly left. Yang Huahua clenched the teacup in her hand and sneered to herself, “Li Qilang, I told you—you’d come to me on your knees begging.”
…
July in Beiting was the most difficult time of midsummer. The oppressive heat was relentless. As soon as the sun rose, the ground seemed on fire. Gray mist, neither cloud nor fog, hung low in the air. Suddenly, a dry hot wind blew violently, raising yellow dust on the roads.
About twenty li away from Jinman County, on the official road, a dozen guards were leading a wooden prison cart slowly. Under the scorching sun, every step they took was extremely difficult.
Inside the wooden cage was a man in his thirties. His clothes were tattered, his hair loose, his eyes closed. He slumped listlessly against the bars of the cage, with blisters forming on his lips. His face was blackened from the sun. This man was Chen Zhonghe, the magistrate of Jinman County, who had been sent back after filing a complaint against the emperor.
“Hey, Magistrate Chen, if you have any last words, tell us. When we hand you over to Beiting, it’s likely you’ll be executed with a single slash. At least we can pass on your last words to your family.”
“I appreciate your kindness.”
Chen Zhonghe’s voice was hoarse. He slowly opened his bloodshot eyes and said, “But my family is extremely poor. My mother doesn’t even have money to buy medicine. I’ll disappoint you.”
The guards exchanged glances. How could anyone believe that a high-ranking magistrate didn’t even have money for medicine? They all started laughing coldly.

At that moment, an old official who felt some sympathy for him sighed and said, “County Magistrate Chen, just admit your guilt and plead for mercy. Perhaps Governor Li will spare your life so you can take care of your elderly mother.”
“Hmph! If I were weak, would I have gone to Chang’an to file a complaint? A true man dies bravely, leaving a name in history. My mother won’t blame me.”
Seeing his stubbornness, the old official shook his head and stopped trying to persuade him. Suddenly, a sharp cry echoed in the sky. Everyone looked up and saw a huge eagle circling above them, its broad black wings blocking out the harsh sunlight. Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from behind, pounding the ground and raising clouds of yellow dust.
The guards quickly moved the prison cart to the side of the road. A group of cavalry rushed over in an instant, surrounding the cart. The head guard panicked and quickly bowed, saying, “Gentlemen, we are coming from Chang’an.”
“I know you’re from Chang’an!”
The cavalry dispersed to both sides. Li Qing’an, the military governor of Beiting, stepped forward slowly. Dressed in black armor and wearing a black helmet, he held a large red bow, exuding an imposing presence.
The huge eagle let out a cry, folded its wings, and landed on his shoulder, its sharp gaze fixed on the guards.
Li Qing’an glanced at Chen Zhonghe in the cage and sneered, “County Magistrate Chen, it’s been a long time.”
Chen Zhonghe snorted and turned away, ignoring him. Li Qing’an said to the head guard, “I am Li Qing’an of Beiting. I’ve taken custody of the prisoner.”
The head guard hurriedly took out some documents from his bag and handed them to Li Qing’an, saying, “Governor Li, this is the approval document from the Ministry of Justice. Please stamp and sign it, and we can complete the handover.”
Li Qing’an took out the military governor’s seal, stamped the document, and signed it. Then he ordered, “Give each of them twenty taels of silver as travel expenses.”
The guards were overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. They quickly completed the handover, left Jinman County without entering, and drove away. After they were far away, Li Qing’an summoned his horse and went back to the prison cart. He stared at Chen Zhonghe for a while before saying coldly, “You may be a bit naive, but you’re still a good and honest official.”
He waved his hand and said, “Release him and give him a horse.”
After saying that, he turned and left. The eagle on his shoulder soared into the air, flying toward the county town. The cavalry rode away at full speed, shouting loudly, and soon the entire group disappeared into the distance.

The cage had been opened, and Chen Zhonghe’s handcuffs and footshackles had been removed. He watched in surprise as the cavalry members walked away, then looked at his own hands and feet, his eyes filled with confusion. After a while, he slowly climbed out of the cage. Having been trapped there for so long, it was difficult for him to walk. He staggered over to a horse and, with great effort, managed to climb onto it. Taking hold of the reins, he slowly headed toward Jinman County.

Chen Zhonghe’s home used to be in the back courtyard of the county government office. Due to the office’s dilapidated condition, his house was at risk of collapsing at any time. So at the beginning of the year, he moved out and rented a temporary house, planning to move back once the county government office was repaired after the harvest.

The house he rented was not far from the county government office—four mud-brick rooms surrounded by a fence forming a small courtyard. His wife grew some grapes in the courtyard and raised a dozen chickens to help support the family.

Chen Zhonghe had a son and a daughter. His wife had been his childhood sweetheart, and their father had passed away ten years earlier. They also had an elderly mother to support. As an honest official, he often used his salary to help the poor. Coupled with his mother’s poor health, which required constant medication, their family remained extremely poor even after nearly ten years in office. They didn’t even have decent furniture, and his wife and children wore coarse cloth dresses they wove themselves throughout the year.

Last year, his mother’s condition worsened, and it seemed she wouldn’t survive. The family didn’t have money to buy medicine. Fortunately, Cheng Qianli sent someone with ten strings of coins to relieve their urgent need. It was because of this that, after Cheng Qianli was overthrown, everyone feared Li Qingan’s power—except him, who dared to go to the capital to file a complaint.

Chen Zhonghe slowly made his way home. He was most worried about his mother’s condition. When he left, there were only three strings of coins at home. He took two strings as travel money, leaving just one string behind. Nearly four months had passed—would that one string be enough?

Chen Zhonghe’s heart tightened. Leading the horse to the doorstep, he didn’t dare enter.

“Dad! Dad!” Suddenly, the voices of his son and daughter came from behind.

Turning around, he saw his ten-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter standing behind him, staring at him in disbelief.

“Shu, Qin, it’s Dad who’s back.”

He knelt down, his arms open with excitement. The two children immediately rushed into his arms and started crying. Holding one in each arm, he looked at them with tenderness. They seemed to have gained a little weight since he left, their faces rosy, and each carried a book bag on their back.

“Where have you been?”
His son wiped his tears with the back of his hand and said, “We came back from school. Why did Dad leave for four months?”
“School?”

Chen Zhonghe grew even more puzzled. What school? He had always taught his son himself—how could he go to school? Where did the money come from? And why was his daughter studying too? A series of questions swirled in his mind. Suddenly, the courtyard door opened, and his wife stood there, staring at him in shock.

Chen Zhonghe struggled to stand up and said with a smile, “What, you don’t recognize your husband?”

“Husband!”

His wife cried out in delight, rushed over, and eagerly took his hand. Seeing him disheveled and in tattered clothes, looking like a beggar, she said, “Husband, how did you…?”

“Ah! It’s a long story. Let’s talk inside. By the way, how is Mother?”

“Mother just took her medicine and has gone to sleep. It’s too hot in summer, so Doctor Zhao told her to rest more. She’s feeling much better now.”

“Which Doctor Zhao?”

“The famous doctor from the Divine Medicine Hall!”

Chen Zhonghe’s eyes widened. That famous doctor charged a fortune for each consultation. How could their family afford it? Noticing several new pieces of furniture in the room, he could no longer hold back and demanded, “Wife, tell me the truth—where did the money come from?”

His wife was stunned. She blinked and said, “Lord Li said you knew!”

Chen Zhonghe felt dizzy. After a long pause, he asked, “Which Lord Li? What exactly happened?”

“It’s Lord Li, the military governor of Beiting. Not long after you left, he came to check on Mother’s condition and had a military doctor treat her. He also said you were on a mission to Chang’an and sent two hundred strings of coins, saying you knew about it, so I accepted them.”

As soon as his wife finished speaking, Chen Zhonghe flew into a rage. He slapped her hard and cursed, “You fool! You’ve ruined my reputation!”

His wife’s eyes reddened as she covered her face and knelt down in tears. Their son and daughter also knelt beside their mother. Fueled by anger, Chen Zhonghe pointed at his wife and shouted, “How stupid! I, Chen Zhonghe, have been honest for ten years—how could I have two hundred strings of coins? Don’t you think? By accepting his money, my reputation is completely ruined!”

“But… husband…”

His wife shed tears of grievance, trying to explain in a trembling voice, but Chen Zhonghe rudely cut her off. “I don’t want to hear any excuses. I… I want to divorce you!”

“If you want to divorce her, kill me first!”

A trembling voice came from inside the room. Mother Chen, leaning on a cane, struggled to emerge. Chen Zhonghe rushed forward to support her. “Mother, it’s hot outside. Go back and rest!”

Mother Chen pointed at the door and snapped, “I don’t need such an ungrateful son! Get out!”

Chen Zhonghe knew his mother was angry. He glanced at his son and daughter, who were kneeling on the ground crying bitterly, and couldn’t help but sigh deeply, lowering his head.
Chen’s mother stepped forward and knelt before her daughter-in-law, saying, “Daughter-in-law, I gave birth to a worthless son. I beg your forgiveness.”
“Mother!”
Chen Zhonghe also knelt in fear. His mother, furious, pointed at him and scolded, “You truly are a scoundrel! Do you know that the very next day you left, both the rice shopkeeper and the landlord came to demand payment, saying the county magistrate would never owe money? Your daughter-in-law had no choice but to give them the only money we had at home. It wasn’t enough, so she had to use the silver hairpin from her dowry to pay off the rice debt. We’re left with not a penny, and there’s not a single grain of rice in the jar. The children are crying from hunger. Your daughter-in-law protected your reputation and refused to borrow from the neighbors. The next day, she had to go wash clothes for others to earn some money for rice. Have you ever heard of a county magistrate’s wife doing such work?”
Hearing this, Chen’s wife cried, holding her children. Chen Zhonghe lowered his head in shame. He knew the family would be in trouble, but not to this extent.
Chen’s mother sighed and said, “It’s thanks to Magistrate Li who came to visit us and gave us some money that we haven’t died of illness or hunger. And you? You just start beating people without reason and even want to divorce your wife. If you dare divorce her, I’ll fight you to the death.”
Chen Zhonghe’s mind was in chaos. He remembered that Li Qing’an not only didn’t punish him but also set him free, gave him a horse, and now was saving his family in this crisis. He sighed, and all his resentment toward Li Qing’an vanished.
“Is County Magistrate Chen here?” Suddenly, Sun Li’s voice came from the door.
Chen’s mother quickly said to her daughter-in-law, “Let’s give him some face first. You can scold him properly tonight.”
Chen’s wife nodded, stood up quickly, ran inside, took out an old robe, put it on her husband, arranged his hair, and said softly, “Go now!”
Chen Zhonghe looked at the red marks on his wife’s face and felt frustrated. “My wife, I…”
“Go quickly! Magistrate Sun is waiting outside.”
Chen Zhonghe turned to open the door. There stood Magistrate Sun Li, smiling. He asked, “How did you know I was back?”
“The guards at the city gate reported to me that our county’s ‘beggar magistrate’ has returned.”
Chen Zhonghe smiled bitterly. “Please come in.”
Sun Li entered the yard. Chen’s wife had already set up a table and stools under the grapevine and brought a pot of cool tea. While Sun Li wasn’t looking, she secretly wiped her husband’s face with a wet towel.

Chen Zhonghe gave his wife a glance, then sat down with a smile. He poured her a bowl of tea and casually asked, “How’s things in the county?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly remembered that he was no longer the county magistrate.
Sun Li smiled and said, “A few days ago, the Ministry of Personnel sent over your dismissal order, but Governor Li rejected it, saying you were an honest and upright official. He even recommended you for the position of military advisor in Xizhou. Sorry, but now I am the county magistrate of Jinman County.”
The military advisor of a prefecture was equivalent to the chief secretary of the prefecture, in charge of administrative affairs there. Chen Zhonghe was stunned for a long time, unable to say a word.
Sun Li sighed and said, “A lot has happened these past few months. Many new military households have arrived, along with a thousand artisan households. Most of the new military households have been settled in Xizhou, which is why Governor Li decided to send you there. Brother Chen, you have a heavy responsibility now!”
After a moment of silence, Chen Zhonghe asked, “What about Protector Cheng? What does he do?”
“Protector Cheng has been transferred back to Chang’an to serve as the general of the Jinwu Guard. Now, all the military and administrative power in Beiting is in Governor Li’s hands. I guess the imperial court is preparing to attackScattered Leaves.”
“How do you know they’re going to attackScattered Leaves?”
“The court is preparing for war! Over the past few months, they’ve sent three batches of military supplies and four hundred thousand dan of grain. Governor Li has also recruited eight thousand soldiers from the new military households. The new recruits are stationed in various counties, while the experienced soldiers have been sent to the five new fortresses. Each of these fortresses has twelve thousand troops, and they’ve even reached as far as the Yibop Sea. Isn’t this a sign that they’re about to attackScattered Leaves?”
Chen Zhonghe nodded silently. He had been so foolish. If the court intended to attackScattered Leaves, why would they punish Li Qingan? And he had even gone to complain to the emperor. No wonder Li Qingan called him naive—he really was stupid!
“Dad, do you think my copy of The Analects is correct?”
His daughter ran out holding a piece of paper. Chen Zhonghe took it and saw that she had copied from “The Analects: Learning.” He was stunned. Although he was a graduate of the imperial examinations, he had never thought of teaching his daughter to read. He had only taught her a few characters, focusing all his attention on his son. It had only been four months since he left Beiting, yet his daughter could already recite from The Analects.
“Qin’er, can you read it?”
“Yes!”
Qin’er clasped her hands behind her back and recited, “The Master said, ‘Is it not a pleasure to learn and practice what you’ve learned from time to time? Is it not delightful to have friends come from afar? Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unperturbed when others do not recognize his worth?’”

Sun Li laughed from the side. “That’s also what makes Governor Li different. He established a hundred schools where children under the age of ten, regardless of whether they were Han or non-Han, could study for free. Not only that, he also set up schools for girls, where they could learn reading and playing the zither—usually attended by Han girls. My two daughters also went to those schools. It is said that the teacher of zither is the most famous musician in Chang’an.”

Chen Zhonghe frowned and asked, “But with so many schools, where did the governor find teachers?”

“By piecing things together!” Sun Li said with a laugh. “That’s why even great poets like Wang Changling and Cen Shen ended up teaching children.”

At this, Sun Li said with deep emotion, “I fully agree with Governor Li’s view. He believes that to ensure coexistence between the Han and non-Han, the best way is to Sinicize the non-Han people, letting their children receive Han education from an early age to change them at their roots. Otherwise, the non-Han will remain non-Han and the Han will remain Han. Once there is internal strife among the Han, it gives the non-Han an opportunity—just as happened during the Five Barbarians’ Invasion of China. Right now, the non-Han people in Shuofang and Fanyang under the Tang Dynasty are subservient but not integrated. Once the central government weakens, the Tang Dynasty will surely repeat the chaos of the Wei and Jin dynasties. Brother Zhonghe, Governor Li has such far-reaching vision!”

“I see. Brother Sun, you were sent by Governor Li to find me, right?”

Sun Li clapped his hands and laughed. “Brother Zhonghe is truly clever. You guessed it right! I indeed was sent by Governor Li to persuade you. Brother Zhonghe, Governor Li is magnanimous and has a long-term vision. Working under him is an opportunity for us!”

Chen Zhonghe nodded. “I understand your good intentions, Brother Sun. Let me think about this matter further, shall I?”

“Sure. Then I’ll take my leave first.” Sun Li stood up and bowed. “Governor Li said that if you come to your senses, you can go directly to Beiting City to see him.”

After Sun Li left, Chen Zhonghe paced back and forth in the courtyard with his hands behind his back. Then his wife stepped forward and said gently, “If you don’t want to be an official, let’s return to our hometown and farm.”

Chen Zhonghe gently stroked his wife’s hair. Seeing the white strands already appearing in her hair, he sighed and said, “I was the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination in the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era. Many of my peers who ranked far below me have already become vice ministers in the Ministry of Works, while I was demoted to be a county official in Beiting for nearly ten years. Ultimately, it’s because I didn’t meet a mentor. Commander Cheng gave me some money to tide me over but didn’t need me. Yet Governor Li not only saved my entire family but also gave me a chance to soar again. My dear, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go to him and apologize, striving to repay his kindness and recognition.”

His wife nodded gently and said, “When he came to visit our mother, he said you were someone who could get things done, not someone meant for officialdom. In just one sentence, he summed you up perfectly.”

Chen Zhonghe was stunned and muttered to himself, “A person who does things, not one who holds office.” Suddenly, he let out a long sigh, walked to the corner of the yard, untied the horse’s reins, and led it outside. At the door, he turned back to his wife and said, “My dear, start packing your things! We’re going to Xizhou to take up my post.”