Chapter 197: Zhao Wenshan

Today is the day Zhao Wenshan officially files his lawsuit against Han San.

For the sake of this day, Lu Shude has truly gone to great pains.

He specifically had a high platform erected in an open space outside Yangwei Alley, not far from the Governor Yamen, so that more people could watch.

At the same time, he also sent out invitations, requesting officials from various prefectures and districts in Shandong to come and show their support.

In short, it is one sentence: make it as big as possible; he wants to cripple Han San, this watchdog, in one fell swoop!

Just as the Hour of the Dragon arrived this day, the area beneath the high platform in Yangwei Alley was already a surging sea of people, the clamor like crashing waves.

Looking out, it was a sea of black heads, three layers deep inside and three layers out, packed so tightly by the Scholars from the various prefectures and districts of Shandong that not even a drop of water could pass through.

On the high platform, ten small tables were set up, each with a small sunshade umbrella planted behind it.

Because the time had not yet arrived, the provincial-level officials of Shandong had not yet reached the site.

Taking advantage of this lull, the Scholars below gathered in groups of three or five, huddled together, and began to talk loudly and boastfully.

"Hmph, I heard that in the tenth year of Wanli, that Han San was merely a Small Banner Officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. In just three short years, he climbed from a Small Banner Officer to a Town Commander; if he didn't do some filthy business during this time, I'll twist my own head off!" In the southeast corner of the crowd, a Scholar with the look of an angry youth waved his fist and said.

"Brother Ziyu speaks with reason," one person beside him nodded, then chimed in, "I also heard that after this Han San became a Town Commander, he issued regulations to these lackeys every month."

"How many people to arrest every day, how much silver to extort every day. Those who complete the tasks are all promoted and get rich, rising rapidly in their careers; as for anyone who cannot complete them, hehe, then they can just wait to suffer the consequences."

"That can't be, wouldn't that mean many good people are being wronged?" A questioning voice rose up.

"Bah, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot are both just lackeys; who cares if you're wronged or not?"

"That's right! This Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot are just a bunch of bad seeds digging holes and breeding maggots. In my opinion, this Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot should have been abolished long ago. With a court full of gentlemen, is it possible we can't even govern this world well?!"

The crowd argued vigorously.

"Governor Lu arrives—", a high-pitched shout cut through the rolling crowd, traveling from one end of the congested street to the front of the street square, immediately causing a commotion.

Most of these Scholars had never gazed upon an official of this rank.

Coming here today, some were just blindly following the crowd, while others wanted to show their faces so that these high-ranking officials and dignitaries would remember them.

At this moment, hearing that the Governor had arrived, they all stretched their necks and looked sideways.

Soon, four generals riding matching jujube-red horses rode out, leading over fifty blade-wielding guards behind them.

Once they reached the edge of the square, the ceremonial axes and banners parted in unison, and the yellow silk sunshade umbrella was moved to the side.

It revealed a large, bean-green, embroidered sedan chair carried by eight men.

The entire square suddenly fell silent.

All eyes were fixed squarely on the sedan chair.

As soon as the chair stopped, a tall guard stepped forward and gently lifted the curtain. A dignified cough sounded first, and then, a plump old man of about fifty, wearing official robes, emerged from inside.

"Greetings, Governor Lu!" The Scholars outside cupped their hands in unison and bowed respectfully.

"Good, good, good, everyone please rise, everyone please rise." Lu Shude's face held a smile, putting on the appearance of a kind elder, greeting the enthusiastic Scholars as he walked forward.

Once he arrived.

The Administration Commissioner and the Surveillance Commissioner of Shandong Province followed closely behind.

They all dismounted their sedan chairs and walked onto the high platform. According to the Great Ming system, local areas were governed by the Three Judicial Offices.

These were the Administration Commission, which managed civil affairs; the Du Zhihuishisi, which managed military affairs; and the Surveillance Commission, which managed criminal law.

The Governor was a capital official, acting on behalf of the Emperor to inspect the realm, and was not included in this list.

The Shandong Administration Commissioner was named Zhang Chucheng, fifty-six years old this year, and was a person under the wing of Zhang Juzheng. Logically speaking, he should not have come to participate in this "grand drama."

Seeing him here today, Lu Shude actually felt a bit of trepidation in his heart.

Their seats were adjacent, and upon meeting, they could not avoid exchanging greetings. Lu Shude laughed first: "Brother Chushan, today's matter involves the kin of the Grand Secretary; you must not practice favoritism or bend the law."

In terms of age, Zhang Chucheng was one year older than this Lu Shude.

If judged by rank, the Administration Commissioner was an official of the secondary second rank.

And Lu Shude was serving as Governor of Shandong with the title of Vice Minister of the third rank.

Even if a capital official is considered one rank higher, the two were of equal standing; Lu Shude was trying to seize the initiative and gain the upper hand in momentum.

Zhang Chucheng only gave a dry laugh and said nothing, a sharp glint suddenly flashing in his murky eyes.

This behavior of his immediately made Lu Shude feel anxious.

He pondered: Could it be that this guy has some trump card? That shouldn't be; the public opinion of the world is vast, even Zhang Juzheng would have to retreat three steps, how could he turn the tables? As long as Zhao Wenshan's petition is submitted, he is confident he can take down this dog, Han San.

Thinking this, Lu Shude cast his gaze toward the withered old man on his right. He saw him with his head drooping and eyes slightly closed, putting on an appearance of being indifferent to the world.

Shaking his head, Lu Shude sat up straight and looked down at the platform.

It is unknown how much time passed, but a commotion was heard from below the platform. Then, a Scholar in green robes, surrounded by the crowd, walked toward the high platform along the cleared path.

Lu Shude stood up at once, his eyes fixed on Zhao Wenshan.

Not until he reached the front did he sit back down.

On the high platform, Zhao Wenshan first swept his eyes over the Scholars below, then hurriedly turned to bow to the officials on the platform: "Student Zhao Wenshan, greetings to the Governor and all the seniors."

The officials on the platform nodded slightly.

Neither humble nor arrogant, he actually had a bit of poise.

In fact, Zhao Wenshan had rehearsed this scene in his mind countless times. Today, once he came up, his movements were fluid and natural, making it quite pleasing to the eye.

Lu Shude slapped the table and asked with righteous indignation: "Zhao Wenshan, whatever grievances you have, just speak them out!"

"Yes." Zhao Wenshan cupped his hands and took a blood-stained petition from his bosom.

On the platform and below, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

In an instant, Zhao Wenshan became the focus of the entire scene. For him, this was an opportunity, a great opportunity to make a name for himself and achieve success.

Thinking of his bright future, Zhao Wenshan's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, then read aloud: "Jinan Prefecture Scholar Zhao Wenshan, files a lawsuit against the Qufu Kong Family for ignoring national law, plotting to seize people's land, and harming people's lives."

"On the fifth day of the ninth month in the eleventh year of Wanli, the Kong Family clansmen forcibly occupied fifty mu of land belonging to the Li family; the eldest son of the Li family rose up to resist and was beaten to death by the Kong Family in collusion with the Qufu County Government Office. On the seventeenth day of the ninth month in the eleventh year of Wanli, the Kong Family forcibly apportioned corvée labor and embezzled the labor silver issued by the imperial court, inciting a civil uprising. In the summer of the thirteenth year of Wanli, the Kong Family forcibly occupied the land of over five hundred households of the common people under their jurisdiction..."

Silence. A deathly silence echoed across the crowded square.

Once Zhao Wenshan finished reading, he straightened his body, handed the petition forward, and said, "The student has finished reading."

(End of this chapter)