Chapter 105: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Home    :    Novels

 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 105: 

 

Lord Zhang was even faster than Yun'niang had anticipated. When he learned that the Prince Huaiyang had condoned his brother-in-law’s criminal activities, including murder and escape, he was furious.

As a senior official who has served three emperors, Lord Zhang is known for his integrity. If he were to ignore this issue and return to court without addressing it, he would be accused of being intimidated by Prince Huaiyang and failing to stand up to powerful figures.

Despite Prince Huaiyang’s great achievements, he cannot override the law. Allowing such a person to enter the capital and participate in governance would destabilize the Great Yan Dynasty.

Therefore, Minister Zhang, driven by his immense anger, traveled through the night with great haste and soon arrived outside Zhenzhou.

With extensive experience as a special inspector, Zhang Pangguang was meticulous in his handling of such cases. He did not even meet with Prince Huaiyang’s envoy but headed directly towards the county officials in Zhaoxian.

Of course, Minister Zhang did not come alone. Given that this investigation involved Prince Huaiyang, who wielded military power and was known to be ruthless—having slaughtered the barbarian cities in the northwest and now condoning his brother-in-law’s crimes—Lord Zhang had to be cautious of any potential backlash.

Therefore, while passing through Huizhou, Prince Sui lent General Wu, one of his trusted subordinates, to Minister Zhang.

If Prince Huaiyang dared to act against the court officials, the troops from Huizhou would be mobilized against Zhenzhou. This would solidify Prince Huaiyang’s guilt of treason, leading to a large-scale military crackdown and tarnishing his reputation. The public would then lose faith in him.

As the imposing convoy made its way, the county magistrate, who was having a meal in the yamen, hurried out to welcome the unexpected arrival of the inspecting official from the capital.

Lord Zhang maintained a composed demeanor as he first inquired about the administrative affairs of the County. Then, he suddenly requested to visit the prison.

The county magistrate, leading the way, took Lord Zhang and his entourage directly to the prison. Once there, Zhang requested the inmate registry and quickly spotted Liu Zhanpeng’s name, confirming that the imprisonment dates matched the confidential report he had received.

With this confirmation, Lord Zhang’s expression darkened, and he asked the magistrate what charges Liu Zhanpeng was facing.

To Zhang’s surprise, the magistrate hesitated and only said that the case was still under investigation and the exact charges had not yet been determined.

General Wu, standing nearby, sneered and said, “Is it that the charges haven’t been decided, or that you are afraid to decide? I’ve heard that this suspect is being treated to fine wine and meat in prison, better than some local gentry out in the countryside.”

The magistrate responded with a pleasant tone, “Since this is a suspect and not yet convicted, I have treated him with courtesy. After all, I am just a small local official in a rural area, and we will have to see each other again in the future…”

Lord Zhang coldly snorted and said, "Local officials? I see it as harboring a fugitive from another province. As I traveled, I saw posters all over the countryside announcing a manhunt for Liu Zhanpeng, who escaped from the labor camp in the northern desert after committing murder. How is it that he ends up here, being treated to fine food and drink?"

The county magistrate glanced at Minister Zhang and cautiously replied, "Sir, perhaps you have misunderstood something?"

General Wu, with his large build and a scowl on his face, interjected, "Misunderstand? Do you take a senior official of three reigns for a fool? Lord Zhang is here to see how the local officials in Zhenzhou are shielding Liu Zhanpeng, concealing him and engaging in favoritism and corruption!"

Hearing this, the county magistrate straightened up and stared at General Wu, saying, "What is your position, sir? Why do you keep interrupting my conversation with Lord Zhang? You slander me with your words—are you trying to settle a personal score because I previously handled a case involving your relatives?"

General Wu, infuriated, slammed the table and retorted, "A dog-skinned minor official like you does not warrant any retaliation from me. Today, Lord Zhang will expose your corruption!"

The county magistrate sneered back, saying, "I am a legitimate candidate who passed the imperial examinations. Although my official rank is not high, I have served the Emperor diligently and have always honored my duties. Why does your General Wu refer to my official robe as mere 'dog skin'? Is your armor just a disguise for a pretentious show of power?"

"You…" General Wu was at a loss for words against such a well-spoken official and grew visibly enraged.

Lord Zhang, uninterested in their bickering, coldly ordered, "Bring Liu Zhanpeng in for interrogation!"

"Hold on!" The county magistrate raised his hand. "Although my official rank is low, I am a local official serving the people. If Minister Zhang wants to investigate a case under my jurisdiction, shouldn't you explain the reasons and let me know where I might have gone wrong?"

Lord Zhang, almost amused by the magistrate’s sharp-tongued defense, replied, "Isn't it clear enough? The fugitive Liu Zhanpeng has been in your prison for days, yet you’ve concealed him and delayed the case. How is this not harboring a criminal? As for the reasons, I will get a clear answer from Prince Huaiyang soon enough."

The county magistrate’s eyes widened with increasing surprise, and finally, he burst into laughter. "Minister Zhang, forgive my ignorance, but may I ask how Liu Zhanpeng’s escape relates to Prince Huaiyang?"

Lord Zhang, infuriated by the magistrate’s mocking demeanor, replied with a stern expression, "Does the county magistrate truly not know? Liu Zhanpeng is the brother-in-law of Prince Huaiyang's wife."

The magistrate stopped laughing and, wide-eyed, asked, "How old is this Liu Zhanpeng?"

Minister Zhang, having thoroughly reviewed Liu Zhanpeng’s case file, replied calmly, "He is in his thirties. It is a pity that such a notorious criminal is being shielded by Prince Huaiyang. It truly tarnishes his reputation!"

The county magistrate, seemingly at a loss for words, turned to instruct his bailiffs, "Bring Liu Zhanpeng in here!"

General Wu, hearing this, felt a surge of satisfaction, believing he had fulfilled Prince Sui’s trust and that the task was well underway.

Lord Zhang, deeply concerned, thought about how to question Prince Huaiyang and report the matter of shielding a murderer to the court.

At that moment, the sound of shackles clinking could be heard from outside the door. The bailiffs brought in an elderly man with a head and beard full of white, his face lined with wrinkles. He was dressed in prison garb and still wearing shackles, and upon entering, he cried out, "Your Honor, I… I am innocent!"

Lord Zhang and General Wu were both stunned. General Wu, frowning, demanded, "County Magistrate Yu, who exactly have you brought here to deceive Minister Zhang?"

The county magistrate leisurely took a sip of tea from a purple clay teapot and replied, "This is indeed Liu Zhanpeng, the prisoner we've been holding. He is originally from Huizhou in Huaixi, where he once farmed a modest ten acres of land. He had a virtuous wife and obedient children, and his life was relatively peaceful. Unfortunately, Prince Sui’s nephew requisitioned his land to build a hunting ground. Liu Zhanpeng had no recourse in Huizhou and was falsely accused of stealing supplies meant for the northwest. His entire family, except for a breastfeeding infant, was thrown into prison. When I took over Zhaoxian, I reviewed the old case files and found a theft case that seemed related to the Liu family. I sent a request to the magistrate of Huaixi County to transfer Liu Zhanpeng here for investigation. However, upon questioning, I realized it was a case of mistaken identity, as Liu Zhanpeng’s family had been destroyed, with his wife dying in prison. Thus, I treated him with courtesy and even instructed my servants to give him the leftover food and wine. I didn’t expect this would be seen as me shielding a murderer!”

General Wu's eyes widened in outrage. "How dare you, you scoundrel official, slander Prince Sui!"

The county magistrate slammed his purple clay teapot down and sneered, "Even if I were bold, I wouldn’t dare to use an old man as a stand-in for Prince Huaiyang’s brother-in-law! You, General Wu, are the one who casually accuses Prince Huaiyang of shielding a murderer. Isn’t that far bolder than anything I’ve done?"

At this point, the courthouse in Zhaoxian was in chaos. Lord Zhang’s capable aides were reviewing case files and old records. After thorough investigation, they confirmed that the elderly man was indeed named Liu Zhanpeng. It turned out that the fugitive and this elderly man merely shared the same name.

The facts were as County Magistrate Yu described: the elderly man was indeed a wealthy farmer, and the case he spoke of was a grave miscarriage of justice. After a thorough investigation, it was clear that the Liu family had been wronged.

The case, which originally seemed insignificant—like crushing a colony of ants—had been neglected by many. Even Prince Sui’s corrupt nephew likely forgot about this family. However, now that County Magistrate Yu had presented the case to the esteemed Lord Zhang, no matter how minor the local case seemed, Lord Zhang, under the pressure of his reputation and responsibilities, would have to investigate it thoroughly.

Meanwhile, in the hall of the Prince residence, Mian Tang was having tea with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Cui Fu had just returned from the Lian family’s home, her face flushed with anger. As she sat down, she complained to her mother, "Mother, is Auntie Lian some kind of fish spirit? Her mouth is just so big! Does she think her disgraced daughter is worth a fortune? How much did she sell her for?"

Mian Tang, sitting nearby, politely poured tea for her sister-in-law. "Sister, please don’t be upset. Auntie Lian is proud and sensitive about her dignity. Since our family isn’t short on money, we can just give her what she wants."

Cui Fu glared at her. "Is that how you let Mother be bullied? As a daughter-in-law, how can you not understand the boundaries?"

Mian Tang lowered her head timidly and whispered, "Sister, you’re right. I just find it hard to lower my face."

Beside them, Old Princess Consort Chu was left stunned—when Mian Tang had once held a knife to Auntie Lian’s neck, she hadn't seemed this timid at all!

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

•••

Prev  :  TOC :  Next

https://ko-fi.com/flamingobeestranslations

https://twitter.com/FlamingoBee2009

Thank You For Reading <3