Chapter 146 Parasites
The two yamen runners took the certificate in their hands and examined it carefully. Then they looked at Zhao Yuanchun and Wen Xiangjun and snorted. They handed it back reluctantly and said in a sour and shrill voice, "Please follow me, my lords."
Wen Xiangjun sneered, took a step forward, and punched a yamen runner in the face.
The yamen runner was caught off guard and was hit on the head, which tilted him back. He fell on his back on the ground, and his head hit the ground hard, and he immediately became motionless.
Another yamen runner was startled and shouted, "How dare you hit someone!"
Wen Xiangjun drew out her sword, and with a swish, something flew out.
The yamen runner only felt a coolness on his ears and a wetness on his shoulders.
He subconsciously reached out and touched it, and it felt sticky. When he brought it to his eyes to look at it, he finally felt the sharp pain in his ear.
He raised his hand covered in sticky blood and screamed in pain against his bleeding head.
It was the first time that Zhao Yuanchun saw such a bloody scene. When he saw the bloody ear fallen to the ground, he felt like vomiting and quickly turned his head away to avoid looking at the bloody scene.
The news here was reported to the government office.
Lead out more than a dozen yamen runners.
Seeing the miserable state of the two yamen runners, they were all horrified. They rushed over to surround Wen Xiangjun and Zhao Yuanchun and shouted, "How dare you! Who are you? How dare you commit murder in the governor's office? Are you looking for death?"
Wen Xiangjun stood proudly among the yamen runners, knife in hand, command in the other: "Wen Xiangjun, a small flag officer of the Northern Pacification Division, is here to supervise the case by the imperial decree. Do you have any questions?"
She looked at the yamen runners one by one with a cold and murderous expression.
The yamen runners were so intimidated by her aura that they didn't dare to ask any more questions.
Wen Xiangjun shook the blood off the blade, sheathed it, and looked at Zhao Yuanchun: "Master Zhao, I'm sorry to have frightened you. These bastards looked down on you and me just because we're women. I had to make them see some blood, so they'll understand what the Jinyiwei are."
Zhao Yuanchun had already adapted to it. She smiled and said, "This is how scumbags should be treated. Sir Wen, please."
Wen Xiangjun lifted her skirt and stepped over the threshold.
Zhao Yuanchun followed and went straight into the governor's office.
The dozen or so yamen runners looked at each other, then hurriedly followed, surrounding Wen Xiangjun and the other person.
"My Lords, we will lead the way for you. Please come this way."
"Those two outside were born with a pair of dog eyes, they deserve to be gouged out. Your Excellency only punished them a little, it's their blessing. Your Excellency is so kind, please don't hold it against us."
"Hey, there's a bump ahead, sir, please be careful where you step."
“……………………”
Zhao Yuanchun looked at these fawning yamen runners and felt disgusted.
There's really no point in being polite to these people.
You should use your power and then they will obey you.
With people bullying the weak and fearing the strong, flattering the superiors and bullying the subordinates, it would be strange if the people in this place could live a good life.
In addition, just from looking at these yamen runners, we can tell that the Governor of Shanxi is probably not a good person either.
Fortunately, the Queen Mother sent her and Xiangjun to supervise the matter, otherwise the victim would have to suffer again.
As they were talking, the two of them were led to the main hall of the back court.
A yamen runner said, "Please take a seat, my lords. We have already gone to report to the governor."
Wen Xiangjun frowned and asked, "Is the governor not at the yamen?"
Another yamen runner tried to smooth things over, saying, "Your Excellency may not know, but with the New Year approaching, the yamen is overwhelmed with work. Our lord worked hard all night and felt unwell this morning, so he returned home to recuperate."
Wen Xiangjun looked unhappy, but she didn't say anything else.
The other yamen runners brought over tea and said respectfully, "Then we will withdraw first."
After the yamen runners withdrew.
Wen Xiangjun took out a paper bag from her bag.
Inside were four cold buns.
She took one and handed it to Zhao Yuanchun: "Take it as a cushion first. I think he'll be busy again when the governor comes."
Zhao Yuanchun took it with a weary look on his face, took a bite, and sighed, "I'm afraid this trip won't go smoothly."
Wen Xiangjun also took a bun, took a big bite and sneered, "Use the knife to pave the way, I don't think he dares to disobey!"
Zhao Yuanchun knew that the Jinyiwei could arrest any Beijing official at will, so he was naturally not afraid when facing a local governor.
On the one hand, she felt relieved, but on the other hand, she felt something was wrong.
After finishing a bun, she said, "If the victim was forced to travel thousands of miles to the capital to file a complaint, if it's true, it shows how corrupt officials from the county magistrate on up are. Sister, why not follow the governor? That way you can see his ability and what kind of people this group of officials are."
Wen Xiangjun nodded repeatedly: "That makes sense, let's do it."
The two men finished their buns and drank some tea. Seeing that the governor had not arrived yet, they closed their eyes and rested.
About half an hour later, a series of footsteps came one after another.
Wen Xiangjun opened her eyes and saw three people coming towards her.
The leader was wearing a brocade robe, but because he was extremely fat, the robe was bulging.
The two yamen runners behind looked respectful.
Wen Xiangjun knew that this person must be Governor Xu Zhijing.
Just looking at her figure and rosy complexion, she doesn't look like someone who is overworked.
"I was delayed at home by something, and I'm sorry to have kept you two waiting."
Xu Zhijing smiled before he spoke, walked in and bowed, looking very friendly and without any airs of a governor.
Zhao Yuanchun also opened his eyes, stood up with Wen Xiangjun, and bowed in return.
Xu Zhijing invited the two to sit down and said apologetically, "I already know what happened to you, my lords. Those two were truly audacious. They dared to disrespect you, my lords. I have ordered them to be imprisoned. I hope you will not mind."
Zhao Yuanchun said, "Those two are truly despicable. Since Lord Xu has already punished them, we two won't take it to heart."
Xu Zhijing smiled and said, "You two gentlemen are truly generous. You have come a long way and must be very tired. I have prepared a fine banquet for you at Zuixianlou to welcome you. I wonder if you would be willing to do me the honor of attending?"
Zhao Yuanchun stood up in surprise and bowed, saying, "Since Your Excellency is so kind, Lord Wen and I dare not refuse."
Xu Zhijing nodded and stood up as well: "In that case, please come in, my lords."
Zhao Yuanchun and Wen Xiangjun followed Xu Zhijing out of the yamen, boarded a carriage, and went all the way to Zuixianlou.
In the private room, there was indeed a table full of delicacies from land and sea.
Zhao Yuanchun and Wen Xiangjun had been sleeping in the open air all the way and had rarely had any food. Since they had decided to go along with it, they did not make any pretentious excuses and sat down to eat with relish.
Xu Zhijing was drinking tea leisurely beside him, with contempt in his eyes.
Zhao Yuanchun pretended not to see it, put down his soup bowl, picked up a chicken wing and placed it on his plate. He asked, "Master Xu, the official document arrived before us. I believe you already know what His Majesty and the Empress mean. What is the true story behind this case that has alarmed a Second Rank Governor like you and caused Master Wen and me to travel thousands of miles to come here? Could it be a truly unjust case?"
Like the two yamen runners, Xu Zhijing looked down on women serving as officials.
It was only because Wen Xiangjun showed the brutality of the Jinyiwei that he took her a little more seriously.
Now seeing that the two men also looked like good-for-nothings, the contempt in his heart overwhelmed the reputation of the Jinyiwei and rose again.
The current emperor is indeed a tyrant.
It would be fine if he acted unscrupulously in Beijing on a normal day, but now he actually forced such a shameful thing as a woman to be an official.
It's really ridiculous.
The guy who usually looked ashamed and trembled with fear when his subordinates gaoled him, actually felt proud and thought highly of himself.
Even more ridiculous!
He scoffed inwardly, but maintained a composed expression. He sighed, "It's just a trivial case of adultery. How can it deserve the title of 'an eternal injustice'? It's just a bunch of unruly people causing trouble. It wouldn't have been a big deal if they'd made it here, but I didn't expect it to reach the capital, causing trouble for the two gentlemen. I can't escape the blame."
Zhao Yuanchun hurriedly said, "The trouble caused by the unruly people has nothing to do with you, sir. Please don't blame yourself. I just don't know what arrangements you will make. Although the end of the year is approaching, Your Majesty and Your Majesty are so concerned about this case that we can't delay it."
Xu Zhijing said, "Master Zhao is right. This case was personally assigned by His Majesty, so we dare not take it lightly. The files have been delivered a long time ago. It is getting late today, so you two masters should rest for now and wait until tomorrow to start the trial."
Wen Xiangjun frowned and said, "How can we proceed with the trial when the victim is still on the way?"
Xu Zhijing drank a cup of wine and said, "It doesn't matter whether this troublemaker is here or not. As long as the others are here, they can't escape. If they are sentenced and arrested as soon as possible, the two adults will have a good New Year, right?"
Wen Xiangjun's face looked very ugly.
Zhao Yuanchun tugged at her sleeve under the table and complimented her, "Master Xu is indeed very thoughtful."
After eating and drinking, the two declined the inn arranged by Xu Zhijing and found an inn to stay in on their own.
Finally, when no one else was around, Wen Xiangjun sneered, "He's truly a corrupt official! He's so audacious! Knowing that it was sent by His Majesty and His Majesty, he's so perfunctory!"
Zhao Yuanchun washed his face, rubbed his shoulders, and sat down. "These local officials are too far from the capital, so their control is weaker. Officials of lower moral character will naturally disobey and do things perfunctorily."
Wen Xiangjun said angrily, "Once this is over, I will definitely send a secret letter to the Empress!"
She sat down angrily and said, "The trial of that Xu guy will begin tomorrow. Should we still go along with him?"
Zhao Yuanchun said, "Shun, of course it's smooth, otherwise how can we know what kind of moral character these people have."
Wen Xiangjun said, "If he really sentences them, won't the victim be thrown directly into prison when he returns?"
Zhao Yuanchun smiled and said, "They are being escorted by officers from the Censorate, and they can't walk fast. I'm afraid they won't arrive until mid-to-late after the Chinese New Year. During this time, you and I can investigate. When we find evidence, we can report it directly to His Majesty and His Majesty. With His Majesty's... ahem, with His Majesty's kindness and integrity, they will certainly not allow anyone to suffer injustice. I think by the time we arrive, there will be an imperial decree, so whether Xu Zhijing makes a judgment or not will be of no consequence."
She spoke clearly and calmly, and Wen Xiangjun nodded as she listened. She looked at her with admiration and praise: "Sister Yuanchun is indeed intelligent. I really admire her."
Zhao Yuanchun bowed and smiled, "Sister Xiangjun can stun the herds of animals with just one punch and one sword strike. That's truly admirable."
Wen Xiangjun laughed out loud.
The two talked for a while.
The waiter brought in hot water, and after the two of them took a shower, they went to bed.
When he woke up the next day, his complexion had improved a lot.
After changing clothes and washing up, they had a simple meal and went to the governor's office. Xu Zhijing had not arrived yet.
The two men called the clerk to take the file and look at it.
What is stated above is completely different from what the victim said.
The victim was named Chen Xianger, and she was only eleven years old.
She was from Linfen County, Pingyang Prefecture, and was raped by a man named Zhao Sihu from the same county who broke into her home.
The Chen family took the case to the government office, but the county magistrate had already accepted Zhao Sihu's bribe and humiliated Chen Xiang'er, causing Chen Xiang'er to hide a knife and commit suicide in the court.
Afterwards, in order to close the case, the county magistrate turned black into white and falsely accused Chen's mother of adultery with Zhao Sihu, which was witnessed by Chen Xiang'er.
Chen Xiang'er was a womanizer. She and her mother committed adultery with Zhao Sihu, but only Zhao Sihu was sentenced to exile.
The Chen family was naturally dissatisfied and kept running around to seek justice, finally allowing the Pingyang prefect to personally hear the case.
Unexpectedly, the prefect insisted that Chen's mother had committed adultery with Zhao Sihu and forced her to reveal the details of the adultery.
In grief and anger, Chen's mother contradicted the prefect.
The prefect was furious and ordered the bailiff to slap Chen's mother in the face.
Chen's mother lost her daughter and suffered humiliation herself. In grief and anger, she hit herself against a pillar and died.
Chen's father and Chen Xiang'er's two younger brothers were also detained and coerced.
Chen and his son could not bear it any longer and had to sign a contract admitting to the adultery.
A good family was torn apart. How could Chen and his son give up? They went to the capital and filed a complaint with the Censorate.
This is what Chen and his son said.
The file states that it is not a distortion of the truth or a false accusation, but that Chen's mother and Chen Xiang'er did commit adultery with Zhao Sihu.
Officials at all levels reviewed the case and had no objections.
So what is the truth?
It was only when the sun was high in the sky that Governor Xu Zhijing arrived at the yamen.
An official also came with them.
This man was quite handsome and was extremely respectful when he met Wen Xiangjun.
From a distance, he bowed and said, "I am honored to meet you, my lord. I am honored that you have come to Shanxi."
The prefect of Pingyang Prefecture was named Shen Lu.
This person was the one who forced Chen's mother to confess the details of her adultery from Chen's father and son, and forced her to death.
Wen Xiangjun raised her hand slightly as a response.
Zhao Yuanchun bowed and smiled, "This must be the prefect, right? I am Zhao Yuanchun, a clerk in Yingtian Prefecture. Greetings, prefect."
Chen Lu nodded slightly, then continued to compliment Wen Xiangjun.
Wen Xiangjun was impatient and looked at Xu Zhijing and asked, "Master Xu, didn't you say you wanted to try the case? Let's open the court."
Xu Zhijing asked first: "Have the two gentlemen read the files?"
Zhao Yuanchun replied, "Since you haven't come yet, we took the liberty to look first. I hope you won't mind."
Xu Zhijing smiled and said, "It's okay, it's okay. Since you two have read it, you know this case is simple. Zhao Sihu has been exiled, and Chen's father and son are still being escorted. There is no need to open the court. You and I will just sit down and listen to what Lord Shen has to say."
The four people sat down and listened to the prefect's explanation of the case before it was closed.
Even Zhao Yuanchun looked a little embarrassed.
But these two senior officials dared to do it.
Shen Lu recounted everything in the case file, adding some remarks about Chen's mother's disobedience and offense, and that was the end of it.
Once Chen and his son are brought back, the verdict can be announced immediately.
By the time he finished speaking, Wen Xiangjun and Zhao Yuanchun were no longer angry.
With this kind of behavior, the truth is clear at a glance.
They didn't say much, just responded to the two people's conversation, declined Chen Lu's invitation to a banquet, returned to the inn, packed their bags, and hired a carriage to leave the city and head to Linfen County that afternoon.
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