OBS Chapter 292: Forgetting the Politics
Chapter 292: Forgetting the Politics
Chapter 292: Forgetting the Politics
At nightfall in Chong'an County, the chirping of insects and croaking of frogs could be heard uncontrollably since the Waking of Insects. A few lights on the city wall illuminated the sparse reed leaves, and several soldiers from the camp were stationed on the wall, drowsily.
The mottled moss on the wall, just like their mission passed down from generation to generation, secretly sprinkles the tiny vitality under their feet. The ancestors of these people were soldiers in the early Ming Dynasty, and now they have changed into the clothes of the Green Camp. They look similar and have the same expressions from generation to generation. They are drowsy and depressed from generation to generation, as if they are dreaming a boring and tedious dream, and they don’t even notice someone walking by them.
Hong Wendi's whereabouts were mysterious and uncertain as he hid himself. Even if passers-by in the dark alleys occasionally noticed him, they only thought he was a restless wild cat in spring, rustling around and disturbing people's dreams.
For Hong Wendi, this was his third time stepping into Chong'an County, but what he was thinking in his mind was very different from the previous two times.
The first time he came, Hong Wendi was apprehensive and alert, examining everything he might encounter around him, and then he had a head-on confrontation with the Lincun monster; the second time, Hong Wendi wanted to end the battle quickly, but when he was faced with the sneaky Chong'an government office, he inevitably had to use all his skills in a desperate battle.
And this third time, Hong Wendi suddenly felt a sense of familiarity in his heart.
However, it was this sense of familiarity as he strolled along the front street that made him vaguely understand the reason why so many merchants in Chong'an County stopped in their tracks.
In this ancient county town which was not very prosperous, it seemed that two opposing forces were wrestling with each other. All the living creatures that depended on it were inevitably entangled together like ropes, and they howled as both sides exerted their strength.
At this time, some people naturally wanted to withdraw, some were ignorant and muddle through, some tried to wait and see, and some calmly mastered the balance of force. But no matter how these people behaved, they would inevitably turn into the mountains, rivers, plants and trees of Chong'an County, breathing and inhaling, and continue their difficult and long survival.
In the north hall of the East Censorate, the county magistrate Guan Shengjun was still holding a candle and had not fallen asleep. Rolls of books were spread out in front of him, as if his brows were furrowed in the past few days, making people feel that he was racing against time, chasing the fleeting time.
The smell of woodworms was still unpleasant, and mixed with the sound of spring insects making noises everywhere, it seemed as if there was a deafening gnawing sound. Guan Shengjun's ordinary appearance was covered with a sad expression, and his posture of turning the pages was too stiff, as if he was the huge woodworm hiding in the library, constantly gnawing at the books and papers in front of him.
In that instant, Guan Shengjun seemed to have truly transformed into the controller of the book's termites, possessing some inexplicable power and authority.
Because without stopping to read, he suddenly spoke to the outside of the closed door.
"Hong Wei... I knew you would come back..."
Hong Wendi casually opened the door, completely breaking through the vision hidden by the candlelight and books.
The person in front of him at this moment was just an ordinary low-level bureaucrat. If it came to using force, Hong Wen would be confident that he could take him down within three moves.
"Master Guan, are you waiting for me on purpose?"
Guan Shengjun coughed softly and spoke slowly without looking up.
"Since you have been to the old county government office and stayed there for several days without reporting, you must have seen the case file from the Jiajing period. I just want to hear your opinion on whether this case was wrongly judged or not."
Hong Wendi's face was as cold as frost. The scene he saw that night would be unforgettable for the rest of his life, but what confused him the most was the file with the twisted verdict.
He could only barely remember some of the words, but after that night, these words entered his mind for no reason and could never be dispelled...
"Men should be upright outside, and women should be upright inside. This is the natural order of heaven and earth. Each wife should be his own wife, and each husband should be his own husband. This is the universal principle of ancient and modern times. If they are promiscuous and disorderly, they are almost the same as dogs and sheep. If they are caught and exterminated, they will do little to help the world's teachings in China."
"Now Yang Chong was a kind and honest man, and his character was strict. But because he was a whore, he was unscrupulous and did not keep his affairs in order. He caught the adulterer and killed him with an axe. He corrupted public morals and brought disaster upon himself. He deserved to die. His love was real and his crime was serious, so why should he be killed?"
"Sleep on the bed and drive away the snoring of others, sweep away this lewd wind; close the curtains and stop the invasion of foreign aggression, and clear away this evil and rebellion. It is appropriate to pardon the crime of the murderer, so that the traitor can be punished."
The voice of the reading seemed old and decayed, with the foul smell that only comes from a grave. As Hong Wendi finished reading word by word, the county magistrate Guan Shengjun let out a long sigh.
"This happened during the Jiajing period of the pre-Ming Dynasty. Yang Chong, a rich man from Chong'an, was fond of gambling and whoring. He was friendly with Zhan Sheng. Later, a murder occurred between the two families. It was rumored that Zhan Sheng had an affair with Yang's wife, Li. After being caught by Yang Chong, the adulterer and the adulteress were both killed with a knife. The government sentenced Yang Chong to prison for wounding someone, and then released him without charge after capturing and killing him."
"After this incident, since Zhan Sheng and Li were both followers of the Jingqi sect, the county was in an uproar. The leader of the Jingqi sect, a demon named Zhang, used evil magic to cause evil spirits to linger in the county government office day and night. Since then, the prestige of the county magistrate has been destroyed, and everyone has turned to the Jingqi sect and ignored the government."
Hong Wendi asked calmly.
"Mr. County Magistrate, if Hong Wei could have retrieved this case file at that time, what good strategy would you have in place to deal with it?"
Guan Shengjun seemed to glance sideways but did not raise his head.
"If this is the case, I will definitely take out the case file and conduct a retrial in court to bring justice to this matter and to the Chong'an County Court."
Hong Wendi suddenly asked.
"Then Hong Wei dares to ask one more question, Your Excellency, are you doing this for the people, for reason, or for power?"
Guan Shengjun lowered his head and laughed, seeming a little surprised by Hong Wendi's question.
"I didn't expect you to ask such a heart-piercing question! As a disciple of Confucius, Guan will naturally not become a Shao Zhengmao. I have a heart for the people, pity their ignorance; I make decisions based on reason and educate them; finally, I will eliminate the power of the Jingqi Sect and regain the people's hearts and minds. What's wrong with doing this?"
Hong Wendi, however, still showed the stubbornness of a man from the underworld and continued speaking.
"If the people's hearts change and they lean towards evil, it will be unacceptable to heaven and the law will punish them. Master Guan, are you also going to wield the butcher knife and execute Shao Zhengmao?"
When studying in the private school, what Hong Wendi remembered most was "Confucius's execution of Shao Zhengmao". After class, he even consulted Master Wen Yuqin to find out whether it was because Shao Zhengmao's sweet words and flattering appearance caused Confucius' disciples to be three-fold full and three-empty, which led to Confucius' execution.
But Wen Yuqin told Hong Wendi that Shao Zhengmao's execution was not due to a dispute over fame and fortune, but due to the "root cause of political disorder."
The so-called "root of political disorder" is that those in lower positions encroach on the power of those in higher positions, and ministers usurp the monarch's means of ruling. They do not fear the prohibitions of the time in their hearts, and do not abide by the laws of the time in their actions. This is the root cause of chaos in the country.
These words left a deep impression on Hong Wendi's heart, making him understand that killing people is not only a matter of underworld tactics, and the reasons for killing are not only grudges and hatreds. There are always some people who hold knives in their hands and speak scriptures, and can kill people without making a sound.
Guan Shengjun was silent for a long time, and finally raised his head from the book, staring blankly into the distance, as if he understood something.
"Well, let me think about it."
The county magistrate, with a worried look on his face, lowered his head and began to walk between the bookshelves, but Hong Wendi's eyes never left the plaque hanging in the middle of the north hall, on which were written four large characters in faded paint: "Govern with Virtue."
"...Hong Wei, don't go to Hengmin anymore. Reading Buddhist scriptures can't save the world. I have traveled all the way from the north to the south, and the tragic scenes I have seen are far beyond your understanding. If no one can carry the righteousness, eating one's own children is not a scary story."
"Since the defeat of the government troops in Wuyi Mountain last year, the troops in the camps of various states have been stretched to the limit and unable to defend against the power of the Jingqi Sect. Do they think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Can they outsmart those old officials?"
"Chong'an County is about to make a mistake. If it is not careful, it will be destroyed. The Jingqi Sect is in full swing. How could the neighboring counties not know about it? They are just encouraging others to take the lead with their own ulterior motives."
After saying that, Guan Shengjun pointed to the east and suddenly slapped a letter on the desk in the north hall. It clearly stated that the soldiers who were originally assigned to guard the key city passes were now forming an armed force of more than 800 people and marching towards Chong'an County. They would arrive tomorrow. Such a large-scale rotation of defense could not be unintentional. Once there was any disturbance in Chong'an County, they would not hesitate to take advantage of it.
Hong Wendi remained silent. Everything was developing in the direction he had expected in the worst possible way. The Jingqi Sect had obviously stepped into a carefully planned crisis. Once someone made an illegal move, they would be caught immediately.
Even if they did nothing, these charges might still fall upon them, because the criminal case files from the Jiajing period were the best example. In them, Yang Chong, who was addicted to eating, drinking, whoring and gambling, was described as a pure and kind person with a "pure and kind heart throughout his life and a strict character", which shows how much filth is hidden beneath these deep waters.
Hong Wendi suddenly understood the sighs of his master when he was wandering in the world. His blood was still hot and he couldn't bear to see disaster tear apart peace and befall all living beings. However, every sip and bite is predestined. No matter whether it was the spread of the poison of the Jingqi Sect or the loss of credibility and prestige of the government, they were already a foregone conclusion that was difficult to reverse. Under such a mighty wave, what could he do to stop a chariot with his bare hands?
Looking at the plaque in the hall that read "Governing with Virtue", Hong Wendi's expression did not change at all, and he stared at the county magistrate Guan Shengjun with burning eyes.
"Master Guan, if it were you, how would you choose?"
Guan Shengjun sighed slightly and buried his head in the book, but a few blue veins appeared on the back of his hand that was holding the book.
"If a rebellion occurs, what do you think I should do? What can I do?"
Hong Wendi sneered, as if he had made up his mind: "Your Excellency, as long as I, Hong Wei, am here, nothing will happen tomorrow."
"Okay! So you have made up your mind to fight against the Jingqi Sect? If this is accomplished, I will mobilize my close friends and colleagues to recommend you to participate in the county's martial arts examination!"
Guan Shengjun was overjoyed at this moment and was extremely satisfied with Hong Wendi's firm attitude.
"The yamen runners heard that the evil people of the Jingqi Sect have been going to Wuyi Mountain to steal immortal molts in recent years, making clay statues, hiding them, and performing sorcery. I'm afraid they have some hidden agenda."
"Tomorrow, the Jingqi sect will hold a candlelight party, with cloth flags, burning sandalwood, lighting candles and performing fasting. This was told to me by the monks of Ruiyan Zen Temple. Even the origin of the drought demon has an unclear relationship with the source of Chong'an County. If I can collect more ancient books, I may be able to get a glimpse of the whole picture..."
Hong Wendi interrupted Guan Shengjun's chattering.
"Hong Wei is not here for fame, but if someone frames you tomorrow, can you speak out impartially and plead for the people?"
Hong Wendi's response was an uplifting and unyielding voice. Even though he didn't see the other person's expression, he believed that the other person's confidence came from the heart.
"God knows, it's natural!"
Guan Shengjun's reply was so powerful that it echoed throughout the corridor. Only then did Hong Wendi calm down, turn around, jump up and down, and soon disappeared into the night.
Until this moment, the frail magistrate of Chong'an County was still hunched over the desk, as if a heavy burden was pressing on him. It was not until Hong Wendi's voice completely disappeared that he seemed to be stimulated. He suddenly raised his head, sneered with his bright eyes, and spoke one sentence after another with clenched teeth.
"Hong Wei! Do you know what they are planning to do?! What is their trump card?!"
"I am an official who has been serving the people for a long time and I should do my duty. But if the Jingqi Sect intends to fight to the death, how can I just sit there and wait for death? Do you think I didn't sign the document requesting troops?!"
He suddenly pushed away all the documents on the desk, leaving only the letter about the imminent troop mobilization, and solemnly placed it in the center of the desk, never taking his eyes off it for a moment. This letter was the source of his courage, bravery, decisiveness, and loyalty, and perhaps it could protect him from this long night.
Guan Shengjun picked up a bamboo pen with strong and proud joints from the ground and slowly placed it horizontally in front of a pile of old files, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating his own abilities. The pile of old files exuded a strong stench of corpses, and they pounced on the bamboo pen with ferocious looks.
Guan Shengjun held it in his hand and exerted force, and suddenly there was a sound of bamboo joints breaking, just like young hot blood splashing, which scared out the bookworms hidden in the scroll. They timidly poked their heads out, as if they were afraid of being caught in the crossfire. Then he slapped the letter of troop deployment, and the strong wind blew the bamboo pen away, and even the old scroll was in a mess.
In this way, the thin figure was stared at for a long time under the candlelight, and the magistrate of Chong'an County finally raised his head, revealing a very unfamiliar face.
Under the dim candlelight, the Magistrate of Chong'an County seemed to have become a different person. At this time, the plaque with the words "Governing with Virtue" became more and more ridiculous, like a mark left by a string of copper coins on the face, which could not be wiped off no matter how hard you wiped it. Slowly, even the words on it began to blur, and finally turned into a robe with sparse cloud patterns, which was attached straight in front of the Magistrate of Chong'an County.
It seemed that he had lived in the gloomy and cold East Inspection House for a long time, and was possessed by the ghosts lurking in this cold and gloomy building. Every trace of his frown and sneer was deeply immersed in the lingering ghosts of corrupt officials and cunning thieves. So after his brief and difficult struggle, he had completely changed into a stiff and withered old ghost in the corrupt government office, wearing an official uniform, looking superior, and speaking cold words without any instruction.
"When God wants to destroy someone, he will make him crazy. The wicked people are in turmoil, and the county magistrate is fighting them. The righteous men are warning, and they sacrifice their lives to reward them..."
"Listen, this is such a pleasant thing to hear..."
(End of this chapter)