Chapter 8: Floods Flooded the Dragon King Temple
Inside the county government office.
Changshou County Magistrate Shen Li only deployed the arrest operation and did not go to the front line in person.
At this time, he and Zhu Wanjian had returned to the county government office to prepare to "divide the spoils."
The county magistrate's face was full of excitement. "We have seized 20 yin of illegal salt, a total of 8,000 kilograms, loaded into six carts. Following the clues, we found more than a dozen ships of illegal salt at the Han River wharf. We have reported it to the prefect and the Anluwei Commander's Office for joint investigation."
Zhu Wanjian was drinking tea nearby. Hearing this, he looked very proud and said, "County Magistrate Shen, I didn't use you in vain today, did I?"
Shen Li stood up and bowed: "I rely on Master Zhu."
"No need for polite words. Let's be frank. Now that we have the stolen goods, we have to divide them. There are more than ten ships of smuggled salt, and the county government should get at least half of them." Zhu Wanjian counted on his fingers and said, "Be straightforward. The Zhu family wants four ships and 200 jin of salt. That's not too much, right?"
Shen Li frowned when he heard that.
You just provided some information and you want to take away four ships of salt?
According to the market price, it is over one thousand taels.
It's really a big mouth for a lion.
Shen Li said: "I will discuss this with the prefect before making a decision. Master Zhu, please go back and wait for good news."
Zhu Wanjian stood up, yawned, and waved his hand, saying, "We've been busy all night, we're exhausted. There's something...my sister-in-law will probably be taken to the county jail soon. Please...take care of her a little. After all, she's a chaste woman bestowed by the court. Besides, this time my Zhu family has done a great job in reporting the case, so please let her go, or people will accuse my Zhu family of making things difficult for our own people."
"Can!"
Shen Li agreed to this painless condition without hesitation.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Zhu Wanjian felt that he had done his best to benefit himself and to present a good impression, so he left the county government with a smile on his face.
…
…
Shen Li couldn't sleep that night.
After the initial excitement, Shen Li felt the seriousness of the situation and began to worry.
It was not until midnight that people from various groups returned one after another. When the county magistrate appeared before him again, his face was gloomy.
"Have you figured out where we came from?"
Shen Li was very concerned about the origins of the private salt dealers.
Not only was he smuggling salt, but the scale of his business was so large that he must have a powerful background. If he was related to some nobleman, eunuch, or the emperor's close ministers, it would be a difficult situation.
Everyone knows what kind of person the current emperor is. He is surrounded by a bunch of villains, including Qian Ning, Xu Tai, Jiang Bin, and the eunuchs in the palace who are close to the emperor, or the two brothers, Shouning Marquis and Jianchang Marquis, who are his in-laws...
The relationships among the powerful in the court are complicated and difficult to understand.
The county magistrate said, "The leader of the salt smugglers we arrested was unruly and demanded to see the prefect of Anlu. The large number of salt ships seized in the Han River all had official salt permits with proper documents."
Shen Li was disappointed when he heard this and asked, "Does the guide match the shore? Is it forged?"
"It doesn't look like it's forged. Even the salt delivery receipt from the salt field is still there. I'm afraid... things are not simple." The county magistrate was no longer as confident as he was when he suggested applying for justice and arresting people. Now he already knew that he might be in big trouble.
At this moment, someone from the provincial government came.
Shen Li hurried out to the door.
The man who came was the staff of Anlu prefect Kuang Yangming. As soon as he arrived, he said anxiously: "County Magistrate Shen, you have such great power! You have caused a disaster without knowing the reason!"
When Shen Li saw that the person who came was not a formal official from the provincial government but only an aide, he realized that Anlu prefect Kuang Yangming wanted to solve the problem in a private way, and his heart skipped a beat.
When I suddenly heard the other party's scolding, I felt as if I had lost my parents.
"I don't know the connection between the two. The second son of Captain Zhu of the Embroidered Uniform Guard came to report that someone was selling illegal salt. After verification, I dispatched personnel... Is there any misunderstanding here?" Shen Li could only try his best to push the responsibility onto others.
I wanted to gain some political capital, but it seems I will end up losing myself.
The staff member said anxiously, "He is the brother-in-law of the newly appointed Huang Fantai. He was just passing through Anlu to do some small business, but you detained him... I heard that you also sent people to Hanshui to seize his salt ships? If the news gets out, how will you let Huang Fantai face the local officials and gentry in Huguang in the future?"
Shen Li said angrily, "I have been misled by you, I have been misled by you! I will go and apologize right away."
"Where are the people?"
The aide was very nervous. It was obvious that he came on behalf of Kuang Yangming to apologize to Huang Zan's brother-in-law.
Shen Li looked at the county magistrate, who said hurriedly, "The man is in the county jail, and has not been tortured yet."
The aide had already taken a step forward, but when he heard this, he turned around and glared at Shen Li, shouting, "Do you still want to torture me? It seems like you don't want to keep your official hat anymore!"
…
…
Zhu's Rice Shop.
Zhu Hao and Aunt Li waited until midnight without going to bed.
"Master Hao, how about we send someone to the government to inquire? Just waiting like this is not a solution." Aunt Li was anxious.
She didn't have much experience, but she thought that since the lady hadn't come back, something serious must have happened. If she got into trouble with the law, this small courtyard would be completely broken up.
If it weren't for Zhu Niang's protection, given her beauty and age, she would have been sold to someone as a concubine if she returned to the Zhu family.
Nowadays, if a concubine doesn't give birth to a son for her husband's family, she has no status at all.
Zhu Hao said, "I saw soldiers riding past through the crack in the door earlier. Let's wait a little longer."
Zhu Ting couldn't hold it any longer and went to bed early. The two of them stayed behind the door of the shop until after four o'clock in the morning, when they finally heard familiar footsteps. Zhu Hao looked out through the crack in the door and saw that it was indeed his mother who had returned with Yu San and others.
"mother!"
Zhu Hao quickly opened the door and went out with Aunt Li to greet them.
When Zhu Niang saw Zhu Hao, she rushed over and hugged her son.
Although I knew the whole plan and was mentally prepared, as a woman, I was caught and taken back to the city to the county government office, and even spent time in a cold and gloomy cell. When I came out, I felt like I was reborn.
Seeing that everyone was looking at him and his mother, Zhu Hao quickly broke away, clasped his fists and bowed deeply to those around him: "Uncle Zhong, I'm sorry for all the hard work today. I may have caused a little trouble, but we bought official salt, and the government cannot be unreasonable... You all should go back first, and I will give you a lot of money for your hard work today... Mother, I think it's better to double the price."
Zhu Niang nodded: "Okay."
Zhu Hao said, "Then you can all come to the counter to collect your money tomorrow. Go home and have a good rest tonight. After all, it's so late now."
Zhong Shu and others had no idea of Zhu Hao's plan. After being captured by the police, they were almost scared to death and now they are eager to go back and reunite with their families as soon as possible.
…
…
The people outside quickly dispersed.
Zhu Hao took Zhu Niang into the shop, closed the door, and then took his mother's hand and asked, "Mom, was the plan successful?"
"Um."
Under the dim tung oil lamp, Zhu Niang nodded firmly.
Her temples were disheveled and her clothes were stained with dirt. She looked disheveled, but she had no time to care about her image.
Aunt Li asked in confusion, "Madam, what exactly is going on?"
Zhu Niang said, "I followed what Xiaohao said. I said at the family meeting that we bought private salt. I didn't expect that when we went to buy salt tonight, the government officials really showed up and arrested us... Later, someone from the state government came and asked us to be released."
Having said this, Zhu Niang was still in shock.
Zhu Hao was not concerned about this. "Mother, where is Mr. Su, the brother-in-law of Huang Fantai, now?"
"He is still in the county jail... He refused to come out, saying that he had to bring the culprit out. When I left the jail, I heard noises coming from inside. The magistrate kept admitting his mistakes, but he was not forgiven."
At this point, Zhu Niang was a little puzzled: "Xiao Hao, how can you be sure that the clan will send someone to report the case to the government?"
"Mother, the Zhu family ignores family affection and repeatedly bullies us orphans and widows. What can't they do? I'm not deliberately belittling them. In my opinion, in order to seize the property left by my father, they can do even more despicable things... Didn't mother say that the Zhu family is short of money now, so we can go to the capital to make arrangements?"
Zhu Hao gently patted Zhu Niang's back and said, "Mom, you must be exhausted after being worried all day. Rest early."
Zhu Niang was a little uneasy: "Xiaohao, if we do this, not only will we offend Su Dongzhu, but we will also have trouble explaining to our family... What if the government makes trouble for the Zhu family and your grandmother blames us?"
Zhu Hao smiled and said, "Mom, we are doing legitimate business with Su Dongzhu, and we are also victims. As for the Zhu family, we don't know their true identity either... The Zhu family themselves didn't figure it out, so why do they think we know? Under the circumstances at the time, everyone thought they were private salt dealers, and even the government officials misjudged them. Can we be blamed?"
"Xiaohao, that's what I said, but I'm afraid that after this incident, we will no longer be able to do business..."
Zhu Niang looked worried.
It seemed to solve the immediate trouble, but at the same time it also offended Su Xigui and all the salt merchants in the city, and even became enemies with the Zhu family.
How is this different from digging your own grave?
Zhu Hao said: "Mom, we have been forced into a desperate situation, why are you still worrying so much? We can make good salt, so we will definitely be able to sell it... Mom, you go and have a rest first, and I will talk about the next plan after this is over!"
…
…
early morning.
The sun rises.
The county government office was in chaos.
Shen Li condescended to enter the cell several times and almost knelt down to beg for mercy to Su Xigui , but it was of no use. He had no other choice but to send someone to the Zhu family to "invite" someone.
You are the ones who caused the disaster. You can't just sit back and do nothing now, right?
In the lobby, Shen Li was pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pot. County Magistrate Song was also restless. He had made a mistake this time and was also responsible. At this time, there was a sound at the gate of the county government office. He turned his head and looked over. He was immediately surprised and said, "County Master, the people are here."
Shen Li looked outside when he heard the voice. He thought it was Zhu Wanjian who came, but unexpectedly he saw Zhu Jiashi who came with her head held high. When he took office in Changshou County, he visited local philanthropists. As the Zhu family was a thousand-household family of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he had of course visited them before.
I wasn't entirely sure at first, but when I saw Zhu Wanjian following the old lady timidly, I understood his identity.
Zhu Wanjian's face turned dark because the police came to his house with an attitude of arresting someone for questioning. If it weren't for Zhu Jia, he might have been in shackles now.
"Madam Zhu, why have you come here in person? I'm sorry for not welcoming you." Shen Li was already feeling extremely anxious, and when he saw Zhu Jia coming, he felt even more troubled.
Zhu Jia said solemnly: "My son mistakenly trusted others, which caused misunderstandings between the county government and Huang Fantai's relatives. I came here in the hope making things clear... I wonder where that Su Dongzhu is now?"
Shen Li said in distress, "He is still in prison. No matter how we persuade him, he refuses to come out. He insists on killing the culprit... I have no intention of holding Mr. Zhu accountable. I just want you to come and explain it to me in person."
Zhu Jia nodded: "Then please lead the way."
"Mrs. Zhu, you..."
Not only did Shen Li not understand, even County Magistrate Song who was standing next to him was very surprised.
The person they want to see is your son, and you, as a mother, want to step in and lobby for him? Even the county magistrate couldn't resolve the matter, and you actually want to step in?
"I am half buried in the ground and have nothing left except a few connections. I hope I can help Magistrate Shen." Zhu Jia explained.
Shen Li thought so too. Although the old lady's husband was bedridden, he was a hereditary captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and was said to have a close relationship with the current emperor. Even the governor would have to give him some face, right?
Shen Li hurriedly said, "Come here, lead the way for the old lady."
