Chapter Eight: The Flood Sweeps Away the Dragon King's Temple

Inside the county government office.

Shen Li, the magistrate of Changshou County, merely oversaw the arrest operation and did not personally attend the front lines.

At this moment, he had already returned to the county office with Zhu Wanjian to prepare for the “division of spoils.”

The county deputy wore a face full of excitement: “So far, we have seized twenty bundles of contraband salt, totaling a hefty eight thousand jin, loaded onto six carts. Following the trail, we also discovered over a dozen ships carrying illicit salt at the Han River dock. Reports have been sent to the prefect and the Anlu garrison commander’s office to coordinate the investigation.”

Zhu Wanjian sipped his tea nearby, a smug smile spreading across his face: “Magistrate Shen, today you weren’t wasted, were you?”

Shen Li rose and cupped his hands respectfully: “All thanks to Second Master Zhu.”

“Skip the pleasantries. Let’s get straight to it. Now that we’ve got the loot in hand, it must be divided. With over a dozen ships of illicit salt, the county office should at least get half.” Zhu Wanjian counted on his fingers, “Let’s be generous—my Zhu family wants four ships, two hundred bundles of salt. Not too much, right?”

Shen Li frowned upon hearing this.

You merely provided some intelligence and now expect to claim four ships of salt?

By market value, that’s over a thousand taels of silver.

Truly a lion’s demand.

Shen Li said, “I still need to consult with the prefect before making a decision. Please, Second Master Zhu, return and await good news.”

Zhu Wanjian stood, yawned, and waved a hand: “Been running around half the night—exhausting. One thing… my sister-in-law will likely be held in the county jail soon. Could you… show some leniency? After all, she’s a chastity-worthy woman bestowed by the court. Besides, it was my Zhu family who reported the matter. Cut her some slack, lest people say the Zhu family mistreats their own.”

“Agreed!”

For such a trivial condition, Shen Li agreed without hesitation.

With matters settled, Zhu Wanjian felt he had secured both his interests and the appearance of generosity, laughing as he left the county office.

...

That night, Shen Li could not sleep.

At first excited, he soon realized the gravity of the situation and grew worried.

By midnight, as various parties returned, the county deputy appeared before him again, his expression dark.

“Have you clarified where they came from?”

Shen Li was deeply concerned about the origins of the illicit salt traders.

Not only selling contraband salt but on such a large scale—their backing must be substantial. If they were linked to some noble, eunuch, or close imperial aide, it would spell disaster.

Everyone knew what kind of person the current emperor was—a nest of sycophants around him: Qian Ning, Xu Tai, Jiang Bin, plus the imperial eunuchs close to the throne, or the two brothers, Marquis Shouning and Marquis Jianchang, who were relatives by marriage...

The political landscape was tangled and confusing.

The county deputy said, “The captured leader of the salt traders is defiant, demanding to see the Anlu prefect. As for the large number of salt ships seized on the Han River, they all have official government salt permits.”

Shen Li’s heart sank halfway. “Do the permits match the docks? Could they be forged?”

“Doesn’t seem like forgery—there are even official salt extraction slips. I fear this is no simple matter.” The deputy was no longer as confident as when he had urged Shen Li to make arrests; he now sensed they might have stirred up serious trouble.

At that moment, a messenger from the prefect’s office arrived.

Shen Li hurried to the door.

The visitor was an aide to Anlu Prefect Kuang Yangming, who immediately spoke with urgency: “Magistrate Shen, you wield your official power recklessly and have unwittingly caused a massive calamity!”

Seeing it was not the prefect himself but merely an aide, Shen Li understood Kuang Yangming wished to resolve the matter privately, and a chill ran down his spine.

Hearing the harsh reprimand, Shen Li felt utterly dejected.

“I was unaware of the finer details. It was the second son of Captain Zhu of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who reported the case. Upon verification, I dispatched men to investigate... There must be some misunderstanding,” Shen Li tried to shift the blame.

He had hoped to gain some political capital but now feared he would be the one to suffer.

The aide pressed anxiously, “That man is the new brother-in-law of the Huang Bandai. He was merely passing through Anlu to conduct some small trade, yet you detained him... and I hear you even seized all his salt ships on the Han River? If this spreads, how will Huang Bandai face the local officials and gentry of Huguang in the future?”

Shen Li lamented, “This small man has wronged me, wronged me! I shall go apologize immediately.”

“Where is he now?”

The aide was clearly there to apologize on Prefect Kuang’s behalf to Huang Zan’s brother-in-law.

Shen Li looked at the deputy, who quickly said, “He’s locked in the county jail, no torture applied yet.”

The aide, just stepping forward, turned back with a fierce glare and bellowed, “Still planning to use torture? Looks like you don’t want your official post anymore!”

...

The Zhu family rice shop.

Zhu Hao and Aunt Li waited anxiously until after midnight.

“Master Hao, should we send someone to the government offices for news? Waiting here helplessly isn’t a solution,” Aunt Li urged.

She lacked much insight but sensed that since Madam Zhu hadn’t returned, something serious must have happened. If they had sparked an official dispute, this small household might be ruined.

If not for Lady Zhu’s protection, given her beauty and age, she would surely be sold off as a concubine back to the Zhu family.

In those days, concubines who failed to bear sons had no status.

Zhu Hao said, “Earlier I saw soldiers riding past through a crack in the door. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Zhu Ting had long since gone to bed, but the two remained behind the shop’s wooden boards. After midnight had passed, familiar footsteps finally approached. Peering through the door slit, Zhu Hao saw his mother return with Yu San and the others.

“Mother!”

Zhu Hao quickly opened the door and went out with Aunt Li to greet her.

Lady Zhu rushed over and embraced her son.

Though she had been mentally prepared from the start, as a woman, being taken to the city and thrown into the cold county jail was a harrowing experience. Emerging felt like being reborn.

Seeing everyone’s eyes on them, Zhu Hao quickly pulled away and clasped his fists in a deep bow to those around him: “Uncle Zhong, thank you all for your hard work today. We may have caused some trouble, but we bought official salt—the government must be reasonable. Please, everyone, go home first. I’ll double the payment for your trouble tonight.”

Lady Zhu nodded: “Good.”

Zhu Hao said, “Tomorrow, just come to the counter to collect the money. For now, get some rest—it’s late.”

Uncle Zhong and the others had been terrified after being taken by officials, eager to return home to their families.

...

The crowd soon dispersed.

Zhu Hao led Lady Zhu into the shop, closed the boards, and held her hand as he inquired, “Mother, did the plan succeed?”

“Mm.”

Under the dim tung oil lamp, Lady Zhu nodded resolutely.

Her temples were disheveled, and her clothes stained with dirt—she looked bedraggled but had no time to care for her appearance.

Aunt Li, puzzled, asked, “Madam, what exactly happened?”

Lady Zhu explained, “I followed Xiao Hao’s plan. At the family meeting, we said we bought contraband salt and wouldn’t buy official salt tonight, but the officials really showed up and arrested us... Later, people from the prefecture came and had us released.”

She still trembled from the ordeal.

Zhu Hao’s concern was elsewhere. “Mother, where is Huang Bandai’s brother-in-law, Mr. Su, now?”

“He’s still locked in the county jail... He refuses to come out unless the main culprit is brought forward. When I left the jail, I heard the magistrate repeatedly apologizing but no leniency was granted.”

Lady Zhu looked puzzled: “Xiao Hao, why do you believe the family would send someone to report us?”

“Mother, the Zhu family disregards kinship, constantly bullying our orphaned mother. What wouldn’t they do? I don’t mean to disparage them, but to seize the estate father left, they’re capable of far more despicable acts... Didn’t you say the Zhu family is short of funds to bribe the capital officials?”

Zhu Hao gently patted his mother’s back. “Mother, you must be exhausted from all this fear. Rest early.”

Lady Zhu was uneasy: “Xiao Hao, we’ve offended Mr. Su, and it won’t be easy within the family either... What if the government comes looking for trouble with the Zhu family? What will grandmother say?”

Zhu Hao smiled, “Mother, we’re also victims doing honest business with Mr. Su. As for the Zhu family, just say we didn’t know the other party’s true identity... The Zhu family themselves haven’t figured it out—why should they expect us to? Under the circumstances, everyone thought they were illicit salt dealers, even the officials were mistaken. How can they blame us?”

“Xiao Hao, that may be true, but I fear after this, we won’t be able to do business at all...” Lady Zhu’s face was full of worry.

Though they had solved the immediate problem, they had antagonized Su Xigui and all the salt merchants in town, and made enemies with the Zhu family.

It was akin to digging their own grave.

Zhu Hao said, “Mother, we’re already backed into a corner. Why worry so much? If our salt is good, there will be a market... Mother, go rest first. After this passes, I’ll tell you the next plan.”

...

At dawn.

The sun rose over the east.

Chaos reigned inside the county office.

Shen Li had knelt several times in the jail, almost begging Su Xigui for mercy, but it was useless. With no other options, he had to send men to “invite” people from the Zhu family.

The trouble you caused—you can’t just stand by now.

In the main hall, Shen Li paced like an ant on a hot pan, while Deputy Song was restless, burdened by his own misjudgment and shared responsibility.

Just then, a sound came from the county gate. Song turned and exclaimed with delight, “Sir, the guests have arrived.”

Shen Li looked out, expecting Zhu Wanjian, but instead saw Zhu Jiashi walking in proudly.

When he first assumed office in Changshou County, he had visited local elders, and as the Zhu family belonged to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he had naturally paid respects.

Though not fully certain, seeing Zhu Wanjian skulking behind the matriarch made his identity clear.

Zhu Wanjian’s face was dark—the officials had come in an accusatory manner, and if not for Zhu Jiashi, he might already be in chains.

“Madam Zhu, you honor us with your presence. I apologize for the lack of proper welcome,” Shen Li said, overwhelmed and now even more troubled by her arrival.

Zhu Jiashi replied solemnly, “My son was misled, causing a misunderstanding between the county office and Huang Bandai’s relatives. I came to clarify the matter... May I ask where Mr. Su is now?”

Shen Li replied with frustration, “He’s still in jail. No matter how much we persuade him, he refuses to come out unless the true culprit is exposed. I do not intend to blame Second Master Zhu—I only wish to explain things face to face.”

Zhu Jiashi nodded, “Please lead the way, then.”

“Madam Zhu, you...”

Not only Shen Li was surprised, but Deputy Song too.

They wondered why the mother would intercede for her son. Even the magistrate couldn’t resolve the issue; now she was stepping forward as a mediator?

“I’m half buried in the grave with nothing left but a few connections. I hope these can help Magistrate Shen,” Zhu Jiashi explained.

Shen Li understood. Though her husband was bedridden, he was an hereditary captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard with close ties to the emperor. Even Huang Bandai would show some respect.

He hurriedly said, “Escort Madam Zhu, please.”