Chapter Forty-Eight: The Grand Hall of the County Office

In the rear quarters of the county office, Liu Ziyuan, the magistrate of Penglai, was hosting a banquet for his superior, accompanied by the esteemed scholar Li Pisen. Among the guests, one official, about thirty years of age, showed exceptional respect toward Li Pisen. This official was Wang Mingyuan, the newly appointed sub-prefect of Dengzhou, and a student of Li Pisen.

Though the sub-prefect was a sixth-rank official, the seat of honor was not occupied by Wang Mingyuan, but by a man dressed in white. The man in white held no official position, yet his visit to Penglai represented the Inspector General. Wang Wu had fled to Penglai, and the county constable, Liu Shengkui, had recklessly searched the residence of Li Pisen, alarming even the Inspector General.

Raising his cup, Liu Ziyuan said, "Master Li, the search of your residence was the result of Liu Shengkui's misconduct, not my intention. I hope you can forgive me."

Wang Mingyuan, the sub-prefect, said sternly, "Liu Shengkui failed to find Wang Wu, and to appease the authorities, he wronged my teacher. He truly deserves punishment."

Li Pisen shook his head and replied, "If not for a malicious informant, how would Liu Shengkui have conceived such an evil act? I've investigated the matter—the one who falsely accused me is the stranger known as Sansheng Stone, who is currently serving as registrar in the county office."

Liu Ziyuan looked surprised. "Is this true? I always thought Liu Shengkui acted on his own, but I did not expect such a cause. I will not let him off easily."

Sansheng Stone had offered Liu Ziyuan a thousand silver dollars, and Liu Ziyuan had been inclined to nurture him. But now, to please the sub-prefect and Mr. Liu, Liu Ziyuan could not afford such considerations.

At that moment, Liu Shengkui was anxiously waiting in the county office, inwardly cursing Liu Ziyuan for his cunning. Knowing Li Pisen had powerful connections, Liu Ziyuan had not warned him.

"Despicable scoundrel," Liu Shengkui glared furiously at the stranger beside him. If it weren't for this man, how would he have provoked Li Pisen? He found nothing in Li Pisen's residence, and had intended to make the stranger take the blame. But the cunning scoundrel had ingratiated himself with Liu Ziyuan and had become one of the six clerks—leaving Liu Shengkui powerless.

Sansheng Stone stood calmly, completely ignoring the furious constable. It was clear the constable would be held accountable today, but with Liu Ziyuan's protection, Sansheng Stone had nothing to fear—he only needed to watch the drama unfold.

After the meal, Liu Ziyuan and his party entered the main hall. Wang Mingyuan, the sub-prefect, sat in the principal seat, while Mr. Liu smiled from the guest section. Liu Shengkui stepped forward to pay his respects, but Wang Mingyuan gave him no chance, barking, "Liu Shengkui, how dare you! You ordered a forced entry into a private residence and seized property. What crime is this?"

Liu Shengkui protested, "It is my duty to apprehend traitors. Searching Master Li’s residence was to capture Wang Wu, the swordsman. How is it a forced entry?"

Wang Mingyuan sneered, "And did you find Wang Wu?"

"No, I did not," Liu Shengkui faltered.

Wang Mingyuan snorted, "You coveted Master Li Pisen's wealth, using the search for a rebel as an excuse to steal. What else can you say? Guards, remove his official hat!"

Seeing that they were intent on punishing him, Liu Shengkui realized there was no escape and ceased pretending, saying boldly, "Though you are a sixth-rank sub-prefect, you do not have the authority to dismiss me."

At this point, Mr. Liu rose with deliberate grace, brandishing a jade token before Liu Shengkui. "By order of the Inspector General, I am here to assist in capturing the traitor Wang Wu and to investigate the theft of Master Li Pisen's property. Any who commit crimes are to be taken on the spot."

Seeing the jade token, Liu Shengkui collapsed to the floor. The Inspector General, with authority over criminal matters, had full power to dismiss him.

After displaying the token, Mr. Liu returned to his seat. Two men from the inspector's office dragged Liu Shengkui away. Wang Mingyuan glanced at Liu Ziyuan and said, "Magistrate Liu, Liu Shengkui has been brought to justice. The villain who framed Master Li must not go unpunished."

Liu Ziyuan nodded, clearing his throat. "Guards, arrest the stranger Sansheng Stone who falsely accused Master Li!"

Sansheng Stone had risen quickly through the ranks, and the bailiffs already disliked him. At Liu Ziyuan's command, they swarmed and pinned him to the ground. Sansheng Stone was no fool—he quickly realized the people in the hall were of great importance, and that Liu Ziyuan had sacrificed him.

If found guilty, Sansheng Stone would surely be imprisoned—a disastrous outcome in the early stages of the game. He had always hoped to advance in officialdom; with a blemish, promotion would become nearly impossible. Desperately searching for a solution, his skill in political intrigue activated, and the system gave him a hint.

"Innocent! I am innocent!" Sansheng Stone cried out, shouting toward Mr. Liu in the guest section, "Sir, I know how to find Wang Wu!"

Though Mr. Liu held no official post, he was the most powerful figure in the hall. Sansheng Stone's only chance was to win his favor. Earlier, when Mr. Liu displayed the jade token, he had stated that his main purpose in Penglai was to assist in capturing Wang Wu—the investigation of Li Pisen’s residence was a secondary matter. Thus, the best way to move him was with news of Wang Wu's whereabouts.

Just as Sansheng Stone expected, upon hearing the name Wang Wu, Mr. Liu waved his hand. "Let him finish his statement."

Liu Ziyuan also signaled the bailiffs to release Sansheng Stone. He had accepted the thousand silver dollars and, because of Wang Mingyuan, was forced to sacrifice Sansheng Stone. If Sansheng Stone could escape punishment, Liu Ziyuan would gladly help him, and perhaps receive more offerings in the future.

Sansheng Stone stood and bowed to Mr. Liu. "Sir, the whereabouts of Wang Wu are connected to this search. Please allow me to explain."

Mr. Liu frowned. "Speak quickly."

Sansheng Stone spoke excitedly. "Sir, I originally discovered Wang Wu hiding in the Earth God Temple in the west of the city. I went there with men to apprehend him, but Zhang Yuanyuan from Spring Fragrance Pavilion rescued Wang Wu. After returning to the county office, I reported this to Constable Liu Shengkui and requested that he send men to Spring Fragrance Pavilion to capture Zhang Yuanyuan. But Constable Liu said it would be difficult, since Zhang Yuanyuan is the magistrate’s mistress."

"In the end, the constable decided to apprehend Zhang Yuanyuan, but the magistrate learned of this, had me arrested, and coerced me into falsely claiming that Wang Wu was hiding in Master Li’s residence. The constable never wanted to offend the magistrate by capturing Zhang Yuanyuan, so he ordered me to search Master Li’s residence instead. As a result, we offended Master Li, and the constable fell into the magistrate’s trap, and was detained by your order, Sir..."

"Utter nonsense! Utter nonsense!" Liu Ziyuan trembled with rage, hastily rising to address Mr. Liu. "Sir, this youth speaks falsehoods—please do not be deceived by him!"

Sansheng Stone snorted coldly. "Magistrate, do not deny it. If I hadn’t helped you frame the constable, would you have made me one of the six clerks?"

(Last week I was Brother Thirteen, this week I’ve become Lord Thirteen. To boost rankings and add an extra chapter, another will be posted after midnight. Please click and vote for recommendations.)