Fourteen, Zhu Ba's wonderful plan

  As soon as he walked out of the county government office, Qi Guan's face turned extremely ugly. In fact... it was impossible for him to look any uglier, having been slapped ten times, his cheeks were now bright red with finger marks all over them. He turned around and glared at the three peasants following behind him, cursing loudly: "You good-for-nothings! If it weren't for your trifling matters, would I have been humiliated like this?"

  Three honest farmers had just been scolded and beaten, now they were being reprimanded by Qiguan Shi, frightened into timidly nodding in agreement, not daring to speak up.

  Qiguan Shi turned around and kicked Yang Chao's body, scolding: "You're a useless thing, not even a bit useful, don't know how to share my worries."

  Yang Yue saw that Qi was in a bad mood and didn't dare speak, so she quietly retreated to one side.

  "Zhū Bā, it's still useful if you have a use for it. If not for your last question, I would have been beaten without knowing why." Qí Guǎn Shì frowned and said: "This official speaks in such a roundabout way, how can I understand?"

  Zhu Yuanzhang's face was expressionless, this time he couldn't smile, otherwise it would be disrespectful to his superior. He also couldn't offer comfort, because how could a superior possibly need comfort from a subordinate? This would make him lose dignity. He couldn't even help scold the county magistrate, because Qi Guan himself didn't dare scold him, if you helped him scold someone, he would think you were impudent and didn't know how to behave.

  "How did you think of asking such a question?" asked Qi Guan Shi in surprise.

  Zhu Yuanchang said in a low voice, "The name of that book is a bit strange, I just remembered it, but actually didn't quite understand, and happened to ask about it." After lightly bringing up this topic, Zhu Yuanchang paused for a moment, then spoke again in a low voice, "Qiguan Shi, it seems that when we went to fight at Ren Village last time, we planted the seed of this fruit. This time, someone took advantage of the opportunity to retaliate. There's just one place I don't quite understand."

  "What place?"

  He pointed to the high wall and thick gate of the county government office, saying in a low voice: "We clearly know that the people of Ren Village have the County Magistrate of Cheng City as their backing, and officials are protecting each other... Why do we still want to fight with them? Shouldn't we get along well instead?"

  Qiguan sighed and said, "It was the second young master's orders. He said... those bastards from Ren Village dare to cross the border, beat them hard and let them know that the Bai Shui Ma family is not to be trifled with. If anything happens, he'll take responsibility... Ah? Right! Now something has happened, let's hurry up and find the second young master."

  Qiguan Shi hurriedly ran back home, Zhu Yuanchang secretly sighed in his heart. Based on the intelligence he had gathered, this Second Young Master Ma Zhibin of the Ma family was completely a spoiled and arrogant young master. It seemed that this fight was entirely due to his impulsive recklessness. Qiguan Shi went back to find Second Young Master Ma, who knows what would happen next... Anyway, I'm afraid nothing will come out of it, but if something does happen, it would be even more beneficial for me!

  An hour later, Zhu Yuanzhang followed Qi Guanshi and ran back to the Ma family's mansion. Qi Guanshi first sent three honest farmers back home, saying that they would come back after things were settled. The three farmers had gloomy faces, seemingly extremely disappointed about not being able to "Ji Gui". However, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that as soon as these three men left the Ma family's mansion, they would immediately go find a scholar's family, such as the Li, Sun, or Zhang families, to "Ji Gui" into. The gloomy faces were all just for Qi Guanshi to see; they weren't as honest as they seemed on the surface. If they were really honest, how could they understand "Ji Gui"?

  Qiguan Shi brought Yang Chao and Zhu Yuanchen to the front gate of the courtyard. This was the main gate of the Ma family, wide and high, painted a deep brown color, with a large plaque above the door bearing the two characters "Ma Fu" in gold-edged calligraphy, showcasing the wealth and power of the Ma family.

  In front of the gate of Ma's mansion, there is still a stone pillar over 10 meters high, made of bluestone, with a sharp top and divided into four sections. This kind of stone pillar has a name, called "Jinshi Pillar". It's not just anyone who can insert it, you have to pass the "Jinshi" exam to be eligible to insert one at the gate. The pillar will be engraved with someone's name, who passed the Jinshi exam in a certain year. Now this pillar is engraved with the name of Mr. Ma Tianyuan, which is his Jinshi Pillar. Unfortunately, his two sons did not insert another two pillars for him at the gate.

  The Jinshi pole is equivalent to a protective umbrella. With one inserted at the door, it indicates that someone in this family has been an official or is currently serving in the imperial court. Petty thieves and rascals should not provoke this family, otherwise they will die without knowing how. Even if the local county magistrate sees the Jinshi pole, he must pay his respects to show respect for his predecessors.

  Zi Guanshi and Yang Chao gazed at the Imperial Scholar's tablet, their faces filled with envy. This thing represents the identity of a government official. If they could plant one in front of their own door... Tsk tsk!

  Zhu Yuanzhang followed them with an envious expression, but in his heart he didn't think so. In his previous life, he rose from being a humble cowherd to the throne of the Nine-Five Supreme Emperor, and scholars looked down on him. Of course, this is not to say that Zhu Yuanzhang did not respect scholars, in fact, he understood the use of scholars very well. To govern the world, one must have scholars. This world cannot be managed by a group of illiterates, otherwise, it would end up like the second Yuan Dynasty.

  Three people stood at the front gate, not daring to go in directly. The front yard was originally where Eldest Young Master Ma worked, while Second Young Master could only be in charge of the inner courtyard. Now that Eldest Young Master had gone to Xi'an Prefecture to manage the family's industries there, both the front and inner courtyards were temporarily handed over to Second Young Master. Qi Guan Shi smiled at the gatekeeper and said, "Please report to Second Young Master that I have an urgent matter to see him about."

  The gatekeeper went in and came back after a while, beckoning to Qiguan with his hand: "Second Master wants you to go in."

  Three men entered the gate and walked towards the main hall. As soon as they entered, there was a spacious front courtyard, with weapon racks placed at the edge of the field, and several green-clad and small-hatted Ma family servants were active in the yard. The blue-brick road led from the entrance to the front hall, and Qi Guan Shi walked into the hall with his head down, shouting loudly: "Second Young Master, Qi Cheng has arrived!"

  "Come in!" The lazy voice of the second young master floated out from the hall, and the three people walked into the hall. They saw that the second young master was sitting crookedly on the main seat, with a maid beside him massaging his feet vigorously. On the table, there was a fruit plate, and an apple that had been bitten into was rolling around in the plate.

  Qiguan Shi said with a bitter face: "Second young master, our family can't accommodate the refugees from other places this year. At least we have to reduce the rent of hundreds of acres of land."

  "Huh? What did you say?" The second young master raised his leg and said discontentedly, "Why? Is it that those villagers are unwilling to send their daughters to our house? Ugh, they don't want to send them, I don't want them either, always causing me trouble."

  Qiguan Shi hastily said, "It's not like that, it was the Zhang family of Cheng City who stirred up trouble in between." He quickly recounted his encounter at the county government office, adding oil and vinegar as he spoke, saying how he had argued with reason and force, how he had been slapped by the county magistrate, how he had suddenly thought of a plan, and realized that it was the Zhang family who were behind the trouble... In short, this story made him appear loyal, clever, and brave, but he didn't mention a word about Zhu Ba reminding him of something.

  Zhu Yuanzhang listened to the side and found it amusing, but he didn't speak out to clarify. Let Qi Guanshi take over this small matter, anyway, it has nothing to do with himself.

  The Second Master had only heard half of it before he jumped up, unable to contain his anger. By the time Qiguan finished speaking, he was already pacing back and forth in the middle of the hall, his face filled with indignation: "How dare the Zhang family of Cheng City play such a trick? It's just a mere county magistrate! How dare they interfere with our family's affairs? Originally, those 'diplomatic gifts' were insignificant, and I didn't even care about the hundred acres of land. But since it was the Zhang family of Cheng City that stirred up trouble, I really must have them now."

  Qiguan was sweating profusely. These two young masters were impulsive and reckless, he knew that. Seeing the second master about to act impulsively again, he hastily said: "Second Master, what do you plan to do?"

  "What else can we do? Let's go knock on their door!" Ma Er Shao laughed strangely: "He is an official, he has power, but having power doesn't mean his fists are strong. Our family has Wang Er, who can the Zhang family find to be our match? Qi Cheng, take Wang Er with you and bring some more men, go over there under our family's banner, beat Zhang Douyao until he's a pig head, see if he still dares to interfere with our 'ghostly rental'."

  Qiguan Shi wiped away his sweat: "This... doesn't seem quite right, does it? Attacking an official of the imperial court is a serious crime."

  "I'm afraid of his fart." Master Er shouted: "My father was also an official appointed by the imperial court, and the scholar's rod is still inserted in the gate. His old colleagues and students at that time are now all high-ranking officials in the court. I beat a mere county magistrate, and I don't believe anyone dares to come and punish my family!"

  "This... old master indeed served as an official in the imperial court and had some connections within the court... However, the old master has already retired, this person's influence is waning..." Qi Guan Shi advised: "I'm afraid some personal relationships are no longer useful."

  The second young master wouldn't listen, and hummed: "He let someone slap you in the face, it's not just about slapping you in the face, the main purpose is to slap our Ma family's face. This face problem, rather die than yield, whatever must be slapped back."

  At this point, Qi Guan Shi also knew that there was no way to persuade him anymore. He was a little afraid in his heart. If it was because of the few slaps he had given himself and provoked Er Shao Ye to find someone to beat up the county magistrate of the neighboring county, he feared that things would get out of hand. The result of getting out of hand is that it cannot be salvaged. In the end, Lao Ye will come forward and save Er Shao Ye with the face of an old jinshi, but he himself will definitely be thrown out as a scapegoat... Ah!

  At this time, Yang Chao suddenly spoke up and said: "Second Master, Qi Guan Shi, we can wear masks to beat people, let him not know who beat him."

  "Are you stupid?" The second young master kicked Yang Chao to the ground with one foot: "Covering his face and hitting someone, who would know it was our Baisui Ma family? How can we give our family a good reputation?"

  Just then, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been standing silently behind him, suddenly spoke up: "Second Master, the reason for this matter is that Qi Guan Shi was beaten, and Qi Guan Shi represents our Ma family's face. In other words, we want to sweep Zhang Douyao's face, but we don't necessarily have to beat him directly. Beating an official of the imperial court is a serious crime, but the 'Da Ming Law' doesn't say that beating a slave of an official of the imperial court is a serious crime, at most it's just a small matter of private fighting... We bring a group of people, enter the city of Chengcheng County, and see anyone wearing Zhang family servant clothes, we catch them and beat them up. See Zhang's long-term workers, short-term workers, accountants, etc., all caught and beaten up... Make a big noise in the whole county of Chengcheng, so that everyone knows, and his face will be swept away without even leaving a trace. And he can only use this small crime of fighting to deal with us, our Ma family just needs to pay some silver for medical expenses to settle it."

  Zhu Yuanzhang came up with this plan because he had already figured out that Master Ma was a spoiled rich kid who feared nothing more than the world being at peace, and people like him loved to stir up trouble. As soon as he suggested it, he would definitely get approval.

  As expected, Master Ma Er was delighted when he heard this and his eyes lit up. He exclaimed: "That makes sense! What a great idea! Let's do it that way. What... what's your name? You're quite clever!"

  Zhu Yuanzhang's face slightly flushed with embarrassment as he said, "Zhu Ba!"

  "Good job, Zhu Ba!" Master Ma Er laughed and said: "I like people like you who are clever and resourceful, able to help me come up with ideas..." He turned his head and said to Qi Guan Shi: "This follower of yours is not bad, cultivate him well."

  Qiguan was overjoyed in his heart, as long as he didn't hit the county magistrate, this matter wouldn't blow up, and he didn't have to worry about being pushed out as a scapegoat. He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with grateful eyes again and said in a low voice: "Zhu Ba, you really saved my life this time."