“Magistrate? Didn't the magistrate flee the city and abandon it?" Zhu Ci looked at Huang Chunyao with a half-smile. "As for why he died halfway there, who knows? We just happened to find his corpse being delivered to the gates of the county yamen."
Huang Chunyao..
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: First, get rid of the corrupt officials, then find a way to get rid of the corrupt emperor! An evil kitty shakes off the blood droplets on its blade. jpg
Next update at 12:00 PM~
Chapter 58
Huang Chunyao felt that this young master was likely hinting at him; whether the news would be leaked depended on how Huang Chunyao spoke.
He looked at Zhu Ci for a long while before saying, "Rest assured, Young Master Xi, I will never speak of this lightly."
Zhu Ci was not actually worried; everyone in Nanjing was in a state of panic due to the recent incidents, no one had the capacity to care about these matters—they were likely all thinking about how to save their own lives!
He said to Huang Chunyao, "Please make yourself at home, Mr. Huang, I have some matters to attend to."
After speaking, he turned and went to the county yamen's duty room to find brush, ink, paper, inkstone. He began to write with vigorous, flowing strokes, then he applied his seal.
When he came out with the paper, he happened to see Zhu Ying sitting there talking to Huang Chunyao.
Zhu Ying stood up and asked, "Young Master, where is Magistrate Zhang?"
Zhu Ci said succinctly, "He abandoned the city and fled, but I caught up to him and killed him."
Huang Chunyao's eyes widened instantly: What? Doesn't it need to be kept secret? So you were just scaring me just now?
Zhu Ying stared blankly at Zhu Ci for a long time, opening her mouth several times but finding herself unable to say anything.
After a long silence, he finally said, "If the imperial court seeks to punish us, what shall we do?"
That is an official of the imperial court after all. Even he, as the leader of the Canal Gang, wouldn't dare to be so audacious. Is this the confidence of the Young Master of the Earl's Mansion?
But.. the Capital has already.. who knows what will happen to the Earl's Mansion.
Zhu Ci said directly, "At this time, it's uncertain whether the imperial court even has the heart or energy to seek punishment, even if they can.. I have a manual from the Crown Prince here."
Hmm? A decree from the Crown Prince?
Zhu Ying's head immediately began to ache; he couldn't read the characters, since he hadn't brought anyone who could, he could only look toward Huang Chunyao beside him.
Although he did not know Huang Chunyao, this man looked like someone who had been educated.
Huang Chunyao hesitantly took the Crown Prince's imperial decree. After reading it, he looked up at Zhu Ci and then back at the decree, momentarily at a loss for words.
Don't you think this imperial decree is a bit too sudden?
And the Crown Prince trusts you so much; not only did he grant you the privilege to act at your own discretion, but he even allowed you to recruit soldiers yourself to fight the Tartars?
Most importantly, didn't you just find out about this news just now? When exactly did the Crown Prince give you this mandate?
Huang Chunyao thought about how as soon as Zhu Ci arrived at the county yamen, he went straight to the duty room and emerged immediately with a handwritten decree. He couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Xi, you must be careful in your actions. Falsifying a decree from the Crown Prince is a crime punishable by death."
Fake?
Zhu Ying froze for a moment, then turned to look at Zhu Ci, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Zhu Ci didn't bother with idle talk with him and raised his chin, asking, "Then is the seal of the Eastern Palace on it fake?"
Although Huang Chunyao had never served as an official, he had at least passed the imperial examinations as a jinshi, so he was quite familiar with many things regarding the imperial court.
After hearing this, he immediately examined the seal on that imperial decree closely; no matter how he looked at it, the seal could not be any more authentic.
It is indeed real.. it's just..
Then don't worry about all that. As long as the seal is real, the imperial decree is real. I'll say it again: if the imperial court has no time to hold anyone accountable, then so be it; but if they do seek accountability, this decree alone will ensure you are all safe and sound.
Zhu Ying, hearing this, couldn't be bothered to distinguish so much and asked directly, "What should we do now?"
Zhu Ci glanced at Zhu Ying, pondered for a long while, then said, "What if Mr. Huang takes over the County Town?"
Huang Chunyao immediately waved his hands. "No, no, how could I possibly be worthy of taking over the County Town?"
Zhu Ci looked at Zhu Ying: "Then will the Chief come?"
Zhu Ying said somewhat bashfully, "I.. I am barely literate, how could I possibly manage the security of a county town?"
Zhu Ci said decisively, "Then I shall temporarily take charge of the security here. Chief, you can also ask the Prefect about his arrangements; if the Prefect is willing to send someone to take over, that would be fine as well."
Huang Chunyao looked at Zhu Ci with some confusion, truly unable to understand what this man was trying to do.
He had originally thought that Zhu Ci had chased after and killed the Magistrate out of sudden anger, but now it seemed as if.. he had a backup plan?
But if it truly is a contingency plan.. He looked at the Crown Prince's mandate in his hands; the ink on this mandate was still very fresh.
Fresh ink, the true Crown Prince's seal.. just what is the background of this young master before him? Could he be one of the Crown Prince's confidants? But even a confidant wouldn't have the authority to be given the imperial seal.
Even if he were beaten to death, he probably wouldn't suspect that the young master before him was the Crown Prince himself, or rather, he wouldn't dare to guess in that direction.
After all, no one would believe that someone would abandon their life as a Crown Prince just to go to the countryside to suffer.
Zhu Ci discussed it with Huang Chunyao and Zhu Ying, the final conclusion was.. to stay put.
After all, the Qing Army had not yet attacked; the only thing they could do now was keep a close eye on the movements in the Capital.
Zhu Ying sighed and said, "When the Tartars attack, no one will have an easy life."
Zhu Ci comforted him, "The Chief's men number at least a thousand, so they can at least hold them off for a while. If the Qing Army truly attacks then, we could still resist if we unite together."
Zhu Ying cupped his hands toward him and said, "The Young Master makes a valid point. I shall return first to appease my men."
Zhu Ci knew that he was going to Suzhou to inform the Prefect, so he did not try to stop him, merely saying, "Take care, Chief."
After Zhu Ying hurriedly left the county magistrate's office, Zhu Ci looked at Huang Chunyao and said, "Please stay a while, Mr. Huang."
Huang Chunyao felt a bit nervous, fearing that this Young Master might kill him to silence him.
Zhu Ci directly called over all the runners and minor clerks from the county yamen.
Now, those left in the county government office were all grassroots officials or people who had been marginalized; Magistrate Zhang had taken away all of his own people, otherwise he wouldn't have left more than half a day in advance only to be caught by Zhu Ci.
Zhu Ci sat in the seat of honor, facing the uncertain gazes from below. His posture was completely relaxed as he leaned back against the chair and said, "The Magistrate has fled the city and is already dealt with. Now, I have been sent by the Crown Prince's command to take over all affairs in Jiading County. Does anyone have any objections?"
The County Vice Magistrate was truly stunned for a good while after hearing this, only after a long pause did he ask, "The Crown Prince's.. command?"
How strange, why would the Crown Prince pay attention to a small place like this?
Zhu Ci slapped the imperial decree directly onto the desk and said, "The Crown Prince's decree is here. If you have any doubts, you may come and take a look."
The County Vice Magistrate exchanged a glance with the subordinates below, hesitated for a moment, then slowly stepped forward to carefully pick up the Crown Prince's decree.
As soon as he took that letter in hand, he had only one feeling: it was new, far too new.
He would have believed it if the ink on it looked freshly dried, but the content and the seal seemed to have no issues.
He looked toward Huang Chunyao.
The County Vice Magistrate was very familiar with and respectful toward Huang Chunyao.
After all, the other man was a jinshi, while he had only passed the examinations to become a scholar, this County Vice Magistrate had only received his official position through family connections.
Huang Chunyao only realized at this moment why the Young Master had kept him around; it turned out it was to make him a witness.
Huang Chunyao nodded. "It's true."
Never mind how the imperial decree was obtained or where the seal came from; from its format to its content and the seal itself, there was nothing wrong with this decree.
The only problem, perhaps, was that the Crown Prince's handwriting was not very good.
However, no one was paying attention to the Crown Prince's handwriting right now, the County Vice Magistrate was not a man of strong opinions either.
He originally had ambitions of his own, wanting to govern Jianing well and wanting to be a good official who spoke up for the people.
Unfortunately, he had a Magistrate above him. Once the Magistrate saw that he was not one of his own kind, he began suppressing him constantly. If it weren't for the fact that the County Vice Magistrate's family was considered a local influential clan, he would likely have been replaced long ago.
In fact, he had already felt that his position as County Vice Magistrate wouldn't last long, he just hadn't expected the Qing Army to arrive even sooner.
The County Vice Magistrate respectfully placed the written order back on the desk and asked, "I wonder.. Young Master.. what shall we do next?"
Zhu Ci said, "Go and take an inventory of how many people are still in the county yamen and report any vacancies. Also, regardless of what rumors you have heard, keep your mouths shut and do not spread them. If any violations are discovered, they will be severely punished without exception!"
The County Vice Magistrate couldn't help but tremble at the last four words, nodding in repeated agreement.
The person before him was a fierce god; the Magistrate could order a killing without a second thought or any hesitation, with the Crown Prince's imperial decree in his hand, how could he dare not obey?
Zhu Ci had the County Vice Magistrate go down to reorganize the county government office, Huang Chunyao took the opportunity to say, "Young Master Xi, I must return home to handle some matters, so I shall take my leave here."
Zhu Ci did not keep him, but instead stood up and walked him to the door, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Huang, for taking the trouble to inform me of the news. I am busy today and could not host you properly; I hope you can forgive me."
Huang Chunyao understood completely and said repeatedly, "Young Master Xi, you overstate it. Please, stay."
Zhu Ci stood at the entrance of the county yamen, watching Huang Chunyao depart with his attendants and retainers. After a moment, he turned to ask Xia Lei, "Have Li Cheng and the others returned?"
Xia Lei immediately said, "They have already returned, but since the Young Master is busy, he hasn't rushed over to report it."
Zhu Ci massaged his temples wearily and said, "Have him come see me."
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Look, even if I didn't act, they still wouldn't be able to guess my identity. The kitty scratched its chin smugly. jpg
Next update at 6:00 PM~
Chapter 59
Jiang Quan arrived with the ledger in hand; the so-called inventory of assets was merely a matter of recording them in a register, as for their actual value, it would require further estimation based on market prices.
Zhu Ci was in no hurry to open the ledger and asked casually, "Have they all been locked up in the Heavenly Prison?"
Li Cheng hesitated for a moment and did not answer.
“Hmm?” Zhu Ci turned his head to look at him.
Jiang Quan swallowed hard and said, "Young Master, when I arrived.. those people were all dead."
Zhu Ci was stunned. "All dead? The Magistrate's family, including his attendants, retainers, the Counselor.. all dead?"
Jiang Quan nodded cautiously.