Chapter 203: Reporting to the Officials

"You can refuse to hand it over." Zhao Jin replied with a single sentence, waved his hand, and walked out.

The people in the shop were stunned once again. This young master just left like that? It seemed far too much like bluster masking cowardice.

Only after Zhao Jin's figure disappeared from the doorway did Xue Xiaozong snap out of his shock. He froze for a moment, then shouted loudly, "He must be scared! The moment he heard this lord say he'd report to the officials, he got scared immediately. Go quickly and hire a litigation master for me. I want to write a complaint and sue him. Go, quickly!"

One of the shop assistants hurriedly left the shop. Xue Xiaozong, excited, returned to the residence behind the shop, called over a household servant, and said, "Go to Li Shun's house and check. If the younger sisters-in-law are alright, bring them over quickly. I want to console them properly."

In reality, submitting a complaint doesn't mean the official will immediately open court to hear the case. It must first be handed to the duty runners at the gate, then passed to the clerks of the Six Offices, and only finally reach the prefect. Often, it also has to pass through the hands of the private secretary along the way.

Anyone familiar with the yamen knew that the Prefect had been fairly diligent during his first nine-year term, rising early to handle official business. After being retained for a second term, he became lax, rising very late each day. After getting up, he needed tea to settle his mind, had a couple of drinks at noon, and only inquired about official matters in the afternoon.

Therefore, news from the previous night and complaints arriving in the morning, after going through all the procedures layer by layer, would all be handed to Secretary Wang. Secretary Wang would then choose the right moment to deliver them. During the first month, the entire yamen was on holiday and would not reopen until the sixteenth. To handle a case or submit a complaint, one had to spend double the money.

Everyone knew that by the time all this rigmarole was finished, the daylilies would be stone cold. So those in the know would slip a red envelope to the Prefect's personal attendant, asking him to go and give a reminder, to whisper a word in his ear.

Speaking of which, from the ninth to the tenth day of the first month, the Prefect's mood had been quite good. Everyone knew the reason: Manager Li Shun of Cloud Mountain Trading had come to pay a visit and brought lavish gifts, ushering in wealth and treasure. Anyone would be in a good mood after that. But on the morning of the twelfth day of the first month, the personal attendant told the Prefect some news, and Prefect Tong Huaizu's mood instantly soured. That evening, he drank considerably more than usual and couldn't get up the next day.

It was almost lunchtime before the Prefect managed to drag himself out of bed. Prefect Tong Huaizu was very fond of Han Well Famous Liquor. This liquor didn't cause headaches when drunk in excess, but discomfort was guaranteed. So the kitchen prepared some light dishes. After eating his fill, he caught up on some more sleep. By the time he went to the Second Hall, the sun was already far to the west.

Tong Huaizu sat in the Second Hall not to handle official business, but to drink tea. His two concubines in the inner residence were fighting fiercely, giving him no peace. The yamen, on the other hand, was quiet.

As soon as he arrived, Secretary Wang had no choice but to come over as well. He placed the official documents and complaints before him to deal with. Looking at these, Tong Huaizu's face was full of impatience.

"One term of nine years, and now another nine. After this term ends, who knows where I'll be sent. At my age, what comes next is just some idle sinecure post, idling away my days!" Tong Huaizu sighed and said.

Secretary Wang merely smiled. A prefect was of the fifth rank, lower tier. After completing a term, without special circumstances, he would become fifth rank, upper tier. Given Tong Huaizu's low ranking among the successful jinshi candidates, he would probably just be assigned to some profitless prefectural office for a profitless post. In that case, a promotion would be worse than none. A department prefect had a rich income and absolute authority; that was true comfort.

Tong Huaizu had long since realized this. So during his first nine-year term, he had acted with some restraint. In this term, he didn't much care about appearances. Unfortunately, after the canal changed course, the profits in Xuzhou grew thinner and thinner, which infuriated Tong Huaizu. So he squeezed harder and harder, now gladly accepting what he previously wouldn't take.

Secretary Wang was happy to see this, because he was the handler for too many matters. The more Prefect Tong earned, the more he, the handler, could pocket for himself.

Just as they were lamenting, Tong Huaizu's personal attendant hurried in. He first greeted Secretary Wang, then leaned close to Prefect Tong's ear and whispered.

Prefect Tong had been complaining leisurely, but upon hearing this report, he straightened up, frowned, and asked, "Is what you say true?"

"Absolutely true. Everyone says they went in and then came out. Before they went in, he was fine. After they came out, Manager Li was hanging from the roof beam, his face covered in blood, several teeth knocked out..."

"Outrageous! Is there no law and order left!" Prefect Tong Huaizu slammed his teacup heavily onto the table and roared in anger.

The personal attendant tactfully withdrew to the side. Ignoring the tea splattered all over the table, Tong Huaizu turned directly to Secretary Wang and said, "Mr. Wang, have Chen Wu and his men arrest them. To force a law-abiding citizen to his death in broad daylight—do they have any regard for the law? Any regard for the Great Ming court? This is outright rebellion!"

Hearing him mention the name Chen Wu, the personal attendant quickly stepped forward and said, "Master, Chen Wu's son, Chen Sheng, also went to that Li Shun's house last night."

"If you hadn't mentioned it, this official would have forgotten. That gang of profligates colludes in evil, committing crimes throughout the city. Secretary Wang, find other constables. Remove that Chen Wu and Zhao Zhentang from their posts and throw them in prison as well. Without their indulgence, how could such a vile outcome have occurred?" Tong Huaizu said furiously.

Secretary Wang quickly bowed slightly, but his face still showed hesitation. He leaned closer and lowered his voice, "What about the Elder of Wangshan?"

This referred to Wang Zhaojing's father, Wang Youshan. Such a figure of the highest prestige and purity, with various connections to the officialdom and scholarly circles of both capitals, naturally had to be considered.

Hearing this, Prefect Tong first paused, then sneered, "No need to bother about him. Wang Youshan's backer in the capital has fallen. Who still cares about a returned seventh-rank official? As for that son of his who disgraces the scholarly name, there's no need to arrest him. If the Wang family still doesn't know what's good for them, this official will no longer care about face among the scholarly circles. Go, quickly!"

Prefect Tong Huaizu's tone became exceptionally stern. Secretary Wang dared not say more and hurriedly acknowledged the order before leaving.

As soon as Secretary Wang left, the personal attendant stepped forward and whispered, "Young Master Xue said that if you arrest Zhao Jin and throw him in prison, he will have another generous reward for you."

Tong Huaizu nodded with a dark expression. He was silent for a moment, then spoke again, "In a moment, go and ask him if he wants to swallow up that distillery. If he agrees, we'll follow the same arrangement as with Li Shun... and add another ten percent for this official on top of what Li Shun agreed to!"

The personal attendant quickly agreed. A hint of a smile appeared on Prefect Tong Huaizu's face. As the local official of Xuzhou, how could he not know how popular and profitable the Fragrant Distillery was? Yet, aside from sending some wine to the prefectural yamen, this treasure bowl offered no other tribute. And these young people were no ordinary commoners; they possessed military force and had connections in every direction, making them difficult to deal with easily. He could only watch and covet from afar.

But a few days ago, the wealthy city merchant Li Shun had suddenly made a suggestion. He said that if the Fragrant Distillery could fall into his hands, and the Prefect could provide some assistance during the transfer of ownership, he would be willing to give the Prefect a fifteen percent share of the profits.

Although this suggestion was very abrupt, Prefect Tong Huaizu could roughly guess what was about to happen. However, he tactfully pretended ignorance, simply waiting to reap the benefits. Fifteen percent a month was still over a thousand taels of silver. Thinking of such an increase in income, he could laugh himself awake from dreams. But his joy lasted only a few days before news came back that Zhao Jin had been ambushed outside the city yet emerged unharmed. The silver that had been within his grasp had flown away, and Prefect Tong Huaizu was certainly not happy about it.

Yet he never imagined Zhao Jin and his group would be so lawless, swaggering through the city and hanging a man, then bluntly claiming he had hanged himself. This was far too arrogant, showing no regard for the authorities or for his own authority as Prefect.

However, having just ordered the arrests and then receiving word from Cloud Mountain Trading's Chief Manager Xue Xiaozong, Prefect Tong Huaizu suddenly realized he could take certain actions. If he arrested Zhao Jin, convicted him, and threw him in prison, he could likewise confiscate the Fragrant Distillery, still reap the benefits, and possibly gain even more.

Thinking of this, Prefect Tong's mood brightened again. His personal attendant refilled his cup with hot tea before going out to relay the message. The attendant hadn't been gone long when Secretary Wang hurried back.

Secretary Wang's expression was rather grim. He approached and said, "Master, there are only two old runners on duty at the constable station. The other constables have taken their men and are scouring the entire city to arrest the Smelling Incense Sect bandits..."

"Outrageous! Who told them to go arrest heretical cultists? Isn't this smearing this official's performance evaluation? Dismiss that Chen Wu immediately! So many constables mobilized, and this official knew nothing about it—this is truly a lack of discipline..." Upon hearing Secretary Wang's report, Tong Huaizu flew into a rage, slamming the table and roaring. At the end, he sensed something was wrong, because Secretary Wang was still standing there without moving.

"Mr. Wang, what are you standing there dumbfounded for? Hurry up and relay the order." Tong Huaizu's earlier good mood had completely vanished, and he urged him on very impatiently.

Between an official and his secretary, the relationship was technically employment, but on the surface, there was still a sense of equal advisorship; everyone had to maintain appearances. Tong Huaizu was no longer bothering with such niceties now.

Unexpectedly, Secretary Wang still did not move. He stood there, stammering, "Master, you had better go out and take a look."

"What does this official need to go out and see?"

"Zhao Jin and his group are right outside the yamen. They say they wish to see you, Master." Secretary Wang's speech finally became much more fluent.

Prefect Tong Huaizu first froze, then shrank back into his chair and asked, "Wh-What is he here for? Does he intend to kill officials and rebel? Quickly, summon the men..."

The moment he remembered that all the constables in the yamen were absent, Tong Huaizu's face turned deathly pale, and his body began to tremble. He thought to himself, could this be a pre-arranged trap? Were they really going to rebel? Just as he was panicking, Secretary Wang spoke again, hesitantly, "Their words were fairly polite. They said they have a matter to report to you, sir."

Unconsciously, Secretary Wang had also changed his form of address. Only then did Prefect Tong relax slightly. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Can this official refuse to go out?"

Secretary Wang's eyes flickered, and he said, "You need not worry about your safety, sir. However, this student believes it would be best for you to go out and take a look."

Prefect Tong sat there stunned for a moment, then suddenly stood up, gritted his teeth, and said, "This official refuses to believe that under the bright sun, anyone would dare commit lawless and treasonous acts. I will go out and see. But first, call a few sturdy servants from the inner residence."