Chapter 704: Coercion and Temptation

Pan Yun smiled and pinched her fingers slightly, nodding: "This humble Daoist priest Pan Yun greets her parents."

Before Cai Cheng could react, the old man behind him, Qian Master, swiftly pushed past him and Wu Shiyeh, slipped between them, and rushed forward to grasp Pan Yun's hand: "Master Pan, you've finally returned!"

Seeing Qian Master, Pan Yun's smile turned genuine; she gripped his hand in return: "Long time no see, Master Qian—how are you and your family?"

"Well, well," Qian Master's eyes filled with tears: "The Mountain God protected us—my family and I are safe."

He turned excitedly to Cai Cheng: "Magistrate Cai, this is the Mountain God Temple's priest I've often mentioned to you—she is the Mountain God's direct disciple."

Cai Cheng had now recovered his composure, his smile cold and hollow: "So you're the priest."

He turned back and sat beneath the plaque inscribed "Bright Mirror, High Suspension," adjusted his robes, then raised his head with haughtiness: "Why has Master Pan come?"

Pan Yun: "To relieve my parents' urgent distress."

Cai Cheng sneered: "Are you here too for the rioters of Fen Shui Village? I've already promised your brother I won't act against them until all the rebels are captured."

"No—I've come for you, my lord, and for all the people of Yushan County," Pan Yun smiled. "The executioner's blade is already at your neck, yet you still speak lightly—truly, your bearing is remarkable. But common folk lack your composure; thus, I've come on their behalf to petition you."

Cai Cheng's face stiffened slightly; he asked irritably: "You're just a minor Daoist priest—what right do you have to speak for the people?"

Pan Yun wore an expression of boundless compassion: "Ten thousand people knelt before the Mountain God and prayed—I heard them."

Seeing Miao Zhen coldly added: "My junior aunt is the temple priest. Any prayer offered to the Mountain God, the priest hears."

"Oh?" Cai Cheng's tone was mocking: "Then, Master Pan, guess what I'm praying to the Mountain God for right now."

Pan Yun's gaze fixed directly into Cai Cheng's eyes.

For a moment they locked eyes; Cai Cheng felt as if her gaze could pierce his soul—he suddenly felt utterly naked, stripped bare from within outward.

He awkwardly looked away, unable to meet her stare.

Pan Yun smiled as before: "Those whose hearts lack sincerity will not have their wishes fulfilled. My lord doesn't believe in spirits or gods—why torment yourself by praying to the Mountain God?"

"Yet your predicament needs no divine guidance—we all understand it clearly," Pan Yun's gaze sharpened, her lips downturned, her expression suddenly stern: "Your disaster looms—why haven't you prepared yet?"

Cai Cheng instinctively clenched his fists, forcing bravado: "Stop your mysticism—what disaster…?"

"Jiangnan is Great Ming's granary and treasury—can you deliver this year's tax quota?"

Cai Cheng fell silent.

"Not only can you not deliver the taxes, but rebellion brews under your rule…"

"That's because wicked men stir unrest, inciting the people to defy authority!" Cai Cheng shouted. "I will quell the rebellion and give陛下 and the imperial court a full accounting!"

Pan Yun's smile didn't waver: "So you've already bribed your way through Guangxin Prefecture—this rebellion might even be convenient. You can blame the entire tax shortfall and ledger discrepancies on the rebels, since they stormed the government office. Losses, fire—any excuse will do."

Cai Cheng's heart lurched as Pan Yun smiled sweetly: "But what if someone petitions陛下 and declares that Yushan County's rebellion was caused by oppressive governance—officials driving the people to revolt?"

Cai Cheng slammed his gavel hard: "How dare you!"

Pan Yun took the jade pendant hanging at her waist and waved it before Cai Cheng's face: "Magistrate Cai, you may have bribed Guangxin Prefecture—but can you bribe the Zhou Wangfu in Kaifeng? Unluckily for you, this humble Daoist priest has some connections with the Zhou Wangfu—and with the Imperial Censorate in Jingcheng."

Cai Cheng's eyes narrowed: "So Master Pan has come to the government office today to threaten me?"

Wu Shiyeh slowly stepped back; soon, a squad of government office Runners rushed in and surrounded them all.

Qian Master jumped back in alarm, rushing between them: "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, my lord—Master Pan is a good person, always obedient to the imperial court, and has cooperated extensively with the government office…"

Pan Yun gently pushed Qian Master aside, smiling lightly as she stepped forward one deliberate pace at a time toward Cai Cheng: "Magistrate Cai, you misunderstand—this isn't a threat. I've come to relieve your troubles."

Cai Cheng's gaze dropped to the floor—he saw that with each step she took, a depression formed; when she lifted her foot, the blue brick beneath shattered.

Cai Cheng recoiled backward, collapsing into his chair.

Wu Shiyeh also jumped, pointing at her in stammering terror: "Y-you—you…"

Half the government office Runners knew Pan Yun well; the others were new and had never seen her—but all were startled.

Yet they still drew their blades and charged to block her; Miao Zhen and Miao He stepped forward and blocked them with outstretched hands.

The two sides immediately clashed—the government office Runners' blades clattered to the ground.

Pan Yun didn't look back. She walked straight to the desk, placed one hand upon it, leaned forward slightly to loom over Cai Cheng, and smiled: "Magistrate Cai, I said—I came because my followers prayed. I want Yushan County to be safe, its people unharmed. You want to keep your head. Our goals align. Whether or not you believe in the Mountain God, we can cooperate—won't we?"

A faint crackling sound came. Cai Cheng looked down and saw the desk before him slowly splitting open—a crack spreading steadily across its entire surface.

He swallowed hard, raised his eyes to Pan Yun, and spoke more seriously: "What kind of cooperation do you propose?"

Pan Yun withdrew her hand from the desk, smiling with satisfaction: "That's better. Our Daoist path values harmony, mutual gain. I detest violence and endless strife."

Cai Cheng stared silently at the desk still slowly cracking.

Pan Yun said: "Set aside defeating the rebels for now. The urgent matter is calming the people. Magistrate Cai—do you know how many rebels there are now?"

Cai Cheng: "About five thousand."

"Five thousand rebels mean over five Battalion Commander of their families. Are you going to arrest every single one?"

"Naturally not," Cai Cheng said. "Only the families of the ringleaders—to instill fear and deterrence."

"Then why did you arrest every villager of Fen Shui Village?" Pan Yun asked. "The Wang Xiaojing family—besides Wang Xiaojing and Wang Erliang, who already killed himself—has only five members left."

Cai Cheng snorted: "Six men from Fen Shui Village worked at the mine. After the incident, none returned home—they all followed Wang Xiaojing in rebellion against the court. Such wickedness merits collective punishment!"

Pan Yun sighed and shook her head: "If you were blameless, such harsh measures might be justified. The capital's officials might even praise your firmness. But you, my lord…"

Cai Cheng quickly said: "What fault do I have?"

Pan Yun smiled faintly: "I've been away from the county for a long time. I only arrived in the city yesterday morning—but within a single day, I heard countless rumors. Your reputation among the people is far from good."

Cai Cheng's face flushed red with anger: "That's slander—someone is defaming me…"

"Whether it's slander or not, we both know," Pan Yun cut him off. "I don't care. I only ask you: is it true that your reputation among Yushan's people is terrible?"

Cai Cheng opened his mouth wide, eyes bulging, unable to speak.

Pan Yun said: "To save you, we must reverse your reputation. Otherwise, when the imperial censors arrive, even if the government office's treasury and ledgers are burned to ash, they'll still hear the people's grievances—and you won't escape punishment."

Wu Shiyeh hurried forward and whispered urgently into Cai Cheng's ear: "My lord, she's right."

Cai Cheng paused thoughtfully: "Do you have a way to restore my reputation?"

"Of course," Pan Yun said. "The people misunderstand you only because they don't know you. From now on, as long as your actions embody benevolence, righteousness, and loyalty—solving their hardships—all past misdeeds can be buried beneath present virtue."

Cai Cheng looked toward Wu Shiyeh.

Master Wu nodded slightly and asked, "What does Priestess Pan think my lord should do?"

Pan Yun extended one finger: "First, release the civilians and their families who were implicated by the rebel uprising."

Cai Cheng narrowed his eyes and suspected, "You still say this isn't for the people of Fen Shui Village?"

Pan Yun: "My lord may choose not to listen to me, but you must know—the rebels number five thousand, and behind them are five Battalion Commander, plus neighbors caught in the net of collective punishment… Even if a large portion of the rebels are not from Yushan County, tens of thousands are still entangled, and this will send shockwaves through the rebel ranks."

Pan Yun descended the steps, stood opposite him across the table, and asked directly: "My lord, try putting yourself in their place. Our dynasty's laws are harsh—if you were among the rebels and learned your parents, wife, children, and neighbors had been thrown into prison because of you, what would you do?"

Cai Cheng answered without hesitation: "I would surrender down the mountain immediately!"

Pan Yun sneered: "Really? And then go to the executioner's block alongside your family and neighbors?"

Cai Cheng fell silent.

"I am different," Pan Yun lifted her chin slightly, fixing her gaze on his eyes: "I would grow more resolute—I would spare no cost, even if I had to shatter mountains and rivers, to avenge my family!"

Cai Cheng: "You!"

Pan Yun suddenly turned to Wu Private Secretary beside him and demanded: "What about you, Master Wu? Are you like County Magistrate Cai—or like me?"

County Magistrate Cai also immediately looked up at Wu Private Secretary.

"I…" Wu Private Secretary swallowed hard, instinctively avoiding Cai's gaze.

They all understood.

County Magistrate Cai was furious: "How could you also…"

"My lord," Pan Yun interrupted with a smile, speaking calmly: "We are the ones speaking truth. You? You have not spoken from your heart."

Cai Cheng fell silent.

Pan Yun: "Release them, comfort the people—it calms the hearts of Yushan's civilians, sows discord among the rebels, and restores your reputation. Three benefits for one move. Why not do it?"

Pan Yun raised her hand.

Seeing Miao Zhen immediately stepped forward, holding the box, and opened it.

Pan Yun took out the painting inside, unfurled it casually on the table: "This is Li Tang's 'Gathering Wild Lettuce.' It was given to me by Zhou Wang when I left Kaifeng. I know the county office is short on funds after the rebels fled, and to pacify the people, food and grain are essential. I donate this painting to the county office—my lord, you may sell it for food and grain."

Seeing the painting, Cai Cheng's eyes widened—he rose quickly and carefully cradled it: "This… this is real?"

"Of course," Seeing Miao Zhen said haughtily. "Would Zhou Wang give a fake?"

This was not merely bribery—it was a threat.

Old Man Qian's eyes darted; he scurried to Cai Cheng's ear and whispered: "Your Excellency, Priestess Pan's background is not ordinary. You arrived late—you don't know her. She is a daughter of the imperial family."

Cai Cheng's eyebrows twitched in disbelief: "An imperial daughter?"

"Don't you remember? This year's early uproar over the Xue Pan exoneration case? The Embroidered Uniform Guard even came down from Jingcheng to investigate…"

Cai Cheng startled: "That was during Magistrate Ming's term—what does it have to do with me?"

Old Man Qian whispered: "Of course it has nothing to do with you—the case is closed. But I heard that when she petitioned in Jingcheng for her father's justice, she met not only Minister Yang but also Your Majesty. Both Zhou Wangfu and the Yunnan Mu Wangfu petitioned on her father's behalf…"

Cai Cheng was no fool—this meant the painting might truly come from Zhou Wangfu, and Pan Yun's ties to Zhou Wangfu were genuine.

He glanced at the shattered blue bricks on the floor and the cracks on the table, his expression grim. He couldn't fight her, couldn't arrest her or suppress the news; his background couldn't match hers. What choice did he have but to obey and cooperate?

Cai Cheng accepted the painting, his face stiff: "Priestess Pan's kindness—I accept it on behalf of Yushan's people. I will swiftly convert it into food and grain to pacify the populace."

Pan Yun nodded slightly, glanced outside at the daylight, and said: "The day is still early. Release them soon—let them leave the city and return home. The city's grain is already scarce; keeping them longer will make feeding them impossible."

Cai Cheng ground his teeth, glanced at Wu Private Secretary, and said: "Then release them at the hour of Wu."

Wu Private Secretary immediately agreed.

Pan Yun nodded slightly to Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He: "Accompany Master Wu."

Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He agreed.

Because Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He accompanied him, Wu Private Secretary departed early—by noon he had already arrived.

Cai Cheng kept Pan Yun for lunch, to strengthen their bond and discuss future cooperation.

Since they were to cooperate, they couldn't just do this one thing.

For Cai Cheng, the urgent priority was still suppressing the rebellion.

Since Pan Yun claimed to be a temple priestess representing the Mountain God, possessing Mountain God's power, and knew Wang Xiaojing from before—could she somehow pacify the rebels?

Pan Yun asked him directly: "If I can persuade the rebels to surrender, can County Magistrate Cai guarantee the rebel leader's life?"

Cai Cheng: "I will do my utmost."

He danced around the issue; Pan Yun would not play along. She said bluntly: "Then it's a no."

Cai Cheng: …

He was unused to Pan Yun's bluntness—she was insufferable.

Old Man Qian, seated beside them, bowed his head and ate furiously.

Unexpectedly, Cai Cheng suddenly turned to him: "Old Man Qian, how have you decided regarding your donation?"

Old Man Qian nearly spat out his food; he coughed twice and mumbled: "I shall do my best."

Pan Yun poured him a cup of tea and asked casually: "Are you donating money and grain to the disaster victims?"

"Yes," Cai Cheng said angrily. "That rabble stole all the money and grain from the treasury. Now, to relieve the victims, the county office has neither money nor grain. If we don't act soon, more rioters will rise."

Seeing his fury, Pan Yun thought his understanding was accurate enough—but relying solely on donations from gentry was not enough.

Pan Yun asked: "Have you requested relief funds and grain from the imperial court?"

Cai Cheng's gaze flickered: "This year, all southern regions have suffered disasters—especially Suzhou and Songjiang. I've heard the waters of Taihu Lake have overflowed. How can we burden the court further?"

Pan Yun retracted her earlier thought—his understanding was still flawed. Didn't he know his own limits?

He still thinks he can solve it himself—if he delays any longer, the rebels may come back and tear him apart. (End of chapter)