Chapter 34: The Official's Duel of Laws (Part 1)

  At the beginning of the new year, everything is renewed. The "year" means too much to the people of China. In ancient legends, the "year" was a kind of monster that liked to come out on New Year's Day, doing all kinds of evil and being unbeatable. Fortunately, the clever Chinese people discovered that the "year" was afraid of red colors and loud noises. Therefore, every year, people would set off firecrackers, post spring couplets, and hang red lanterns to drive the "year" back into the mountains. Although there are many unexplainable parts in this legend, it reflects the precious spirit of the Chinese people who are not afraid of difficulties and dare to challenge them.

  "What's there to be afraid of at the end of the year?"

  For the people of China, the New Year also carries more significance, such as reunion, striving, hope and so on. No matter what, after a year of hard work, regardless of whether the harvest is good or bad, ordinary people will tighten their belts, cut back on food and clothing, but during the New Year, they will worship heaven and earth, offer sacrifices to ancestors, let themselves eat better, have more fun, buy one or two new clothes, give some money to children at home, visit relatives and friends, reward themselves, etc. Even creditors will subconsciously avoid chasing debts during the New Year, so as not to cause trouble for others. Although many people chase debts before the New Year, pushing people to desperation, making them feel like they are going through a tough time, this is also one of the reasons why some places call the New Year "year-end".

  To put it simply, ordinary people are easily satisfied. As long as the sky hasn't fallen, they're still in a good mood. However, on the tenth day of the month, Zhou Dayuan, known as the "God of Wealth" in Jiangyou County, couldn't smile at all.

  The reason Zhou Dàyuan couldn't laugh was that the county magistrate of Lu had called him into his office, not saying a word, but instead gazing at him with great interest. Although his eyes seemed to be playful, Zhou Dàyuan felt uneasy all over, as if the county magistrate's gaze was like a blade that could pierce through his body and see into the secrets deep within his heart. The faint smile at the corner of his mouth seemed to be a cold sneer, making all the hairs on his body stand on end.

  Today is the tenth day of the year, and County Magistrate Chen has taken people to supervise the preparation for the Yuanxiao Festival. Lu Haoshan took advantage of this gap to call Zhou Dayuan away, and also let Liu Jinchu guard the door, not allowing others to approach. For some reason, Zhou Dayuan felt a bit uneasy, and his heart was even more crying out in dismay.

  Having no holiday during Chinese New Year is already miserable enough. Now it seems that County Magistrate wants to find trouble with himself, on the first day of the year, can't he just avoid being unlucky?

  "Sir, I don't know why you've asked me to come. What instructions do you have?" After a stalemate, Zhou Dàyuan finally broke the silence.

  The common people are not as good as the officials, the clerks of the Ministry of Revenue, they can be said to be the "God of Wealth" of a county, but in detail, they are just clerks, not even officials, and their salaries are still private money issued by the county government. In the end, it's just that County Magistrate asked for a long worker, but higher than those workers and horsemen. Which is like Lu Haoshan, a seventh-rank county magistrate, who is registered in the Ministry of Revenue and holds a large seal.

  Lu Haoshan smiled slightly and suddenly recited:

  Big rat, big rat, don't eat my millet! A three-year-old girl, I won't look at her. When she's about to leave me, she'll go to that happy land. Happy land, happy land, where I will get what I want.

  Big rat, big rat, don't eat my wheat! A three-year-old girl, I won't let you go. When you leave, go to the joyful country. Joyful country, joyful country, that's where I'll get justice.

  Big rat, big rat, don't eat my millet! A three-year-old girl, I won't let you work. When will you go to the girl, to that happy suburb? Happy suburb, happy suburb, whose eternal name is this?"

  After finishing reading, he stared at Zhou Dayuan and said: "Zhou officer, what do you think of this poem?"

  Zhou Dayuan's heart tightened, but his face remained calm and composed. He bowed to Lu Haoshan and said: "This poem is from the 'Shi Jing. Guo Feng. Nan Feng. Shuo Shu', although it was written by an anonymous author, it is easy to understand, has a clear tone, and is a masterpiece. I didn't expect you to recite it all at once, sir. You are truly erudite and talented, and I am in awe."

  Lu Haoshan smiled and said, "I've flipped through many ancient books to find this poem, but I didn't expect you, Zhou, to understand the ins and outs of it at once. This is what it means to be erudite."

  "I dare not; I am just a humble old student, while you are a scholar who has passed the imperial examination. I do not dare to show off my skills in front of someone as esteemed as yourself."

  "Prefectural Governor"

  "Little people in"

  Lu Haoshan smiled and said: "Since you know this poem, you naturally understand the meaning of this poem, right?"

  Zhou Dayuan had a faintly bad feeling in his heart, as if Lu Haoshan was leading him into a trap. However, since the county magistrate had spoken, he couldn't not respond. Upon hearing this, he forced a smile and nodded his head, saying: "Although I'm clumsy, at least I'm diligent. This poem, although not as refined as yours, sir, I can still barely understand its meaning."

  "Is that so?" Lu Haoshan's face suddenly changed, and he sneered: "This official thinks that Zhou Silü not only can read it, but should also be very familiar with this poem."

  "This... sir, forgive me for being obtuse, I didn't quite understand your meaning." Zhou Dàyuan said calmly.

  "It's very simple, this poem was written for you, how about it, fitting, isn't it, Zhou Dayuan? Because, you are a big rat in Jiangyou!" By the end of his words, Lu Haoshan's face turned stern.

  He was scolded by County Magistrate Chen as a "big rat", and even though Zhou Daxuan had a thick skin and a deep mind, he was also scolded on the spot until his face turned red. In fact, when Lu Haoshan recited that poem behind his back, Zhou Daxuan had already thought that this summons would not be good news, probably related to money. He was certain in his heart that Lu Haoshan couldn't find any evidence, especially since he was alone and now waited until County Magistrate Chen went out before summoning him, probably wanting to extort more benefits from him.

  "I, a humble man, ask myself: I handle matters with diligence and integrity, conduct myself in public office with impartiality and justice, and live an upright life. All of this is evident to everyone in the yamen, from top to bottom. But now, sir, you describe me as a cunning rat - what evidence do you have? If you cannot come up with even one reason, then even if I am your subordinate and you are the respected magistrate of this county, I will still demand justice from you."

  He added: "Although a humble man only reached the level of a child prodigy, he has also extensively read the books of sages and deeply understands the way of propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame."

  This guy is really stubborn to the end, and won't shed a tear until he sees the coffin.

  Lu Haoshan sneered and said bluntly, "Since I've called you here, of course, I have evidence in my hands. You've forgotten that when I checked the accounts the other day, I already discovered your tricks. How about it, Zhou Siyi, are you still not convinced?"

  "Please show me the evidence, so that I can be convinced." Zhou Dàyuan said resolutely, with a hint of confidence on his face.

  That account book naturally has problems, Zhou Daxuan knew early this week, because that account was made by himself, and it's precisely because he made it himself that Zhou Daxuan is so confident. He has been doing accounts for many years and can be called an accounting expert. Even if people from Longzhou Prefecture came to investigate, they wouldn't be able to find any major problems. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be standing here. Of course, the silver sent every year isn't given in vain. In the officialdom of the Ming dynasty, there's a saying "follow the example", and these have become conventions. As long as it's not excessive, many things are just one eye open and one eye closed, and no one will take it seriously. Zhou Daxuan's confidence lies in: Lu Hengshan only took five days to check the accounts of two years, but he couldn't find anything. Moreover, during those five days, the gate was tightly closed, and it's said that not even a single abacus sound was heard.

  Want to find out your own problem? Unless you are a freak.

  But Zhou Dàyuan did not think that this Lu County Magistrate in front of him was a freakish existence.

  Lu Haoshan still had important things to do and didn't bother to engage in a battle of wits with him here, coldly saying: "It seems you won't shed tears until you see the coffin, fine, today this official will make you surrender willingly."

  "I'd like to hear more about it." Zhou Dàyuan said, unwilling to back down.

  "A poor temple can produce a rich monk, and a small county can also produce an able official. Indeed, Prefect Zhou, you are an able official. With one account book in your hands, you have managed to make it four-square and stable, ordinary people find it hard to see any flaws. This is your cleverness and ability, although it's being used for evil purposes. Alright, let's put aside the idle chatter for now and talk about the main issue. Prefect Zhou, you've been in the Jiangyou County government office for twelve years, and have held the position of Head of the Household Registration Office for five years, isn't that correct?"

  That's right

  "These account books were provided by you, and they are the accounts of this county for the past two years. In other words, these accounts all came from your hands. Has this official wrongly accused you?"

  Although he didn't understand what Magistrate Lu wanted to do, Zhou Dàyuan still said honestly: "No, it was indeed written by a petty person."

  Lu Haoshan nodded at Zhou Dayuan and said with deep meaning: "Alright, we can officially start now."

  PS: Seeking votes and support, first update, still three more updates!!!!!