DNS - Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Wang Changdong arrived at the entrance of the county yamen. He Ming led He Xingdong out to greet him.
He Xingdong stood behind He Ming, head lowered, looking respectful and particularly well-behaved today.
Wang Changdong had not yet officially taken office and was dressed in plain linen clothes, appearing quite low-key. His brows were furrowed, and his expression was melancholic. He followed He Ming to the yamen entrance, looked up at the plaque, and stood still for a moment.
The county's residents didn't know which official had arrived, nor did they care about these people. However, the yamen was located in a bustling area, and with the grain shipment expected today, many people were gathered at the entrance waiting for news.
Wang Changdong said, "My name is Changdong, courtesy name Jianshui. It seems I have quite a connection with Shuidong County, so I came to take a look along the way. I haven't caused County Magistrate He any trouble, have I?"
He Ming replied, "What are you saying, Chief Administrator Wang? Please come inside and sit."
Wang Changdong remained standing, seemingly waiting for something. He Ming urged him once and was about to speak when he heard a commotion from a distance. Soon after, a large crowd surged forward, looking aggressive and clearly not friendly.
He Ming's heart sank with a 'thump', feeling extremely uneasy. Not knowing what had happened, he stopped and listened.
A loud voice came from that direction: "Fang Shifei has reported County Magistrate He for corruption! The evidence is in the grain storage!"
He Ming's body stiffened.
The person shouting repeated, "County Magistrate He is corrupt! He hid the ill-gotten silver in the grain storage, and now it's all been dug out! Everyone saw it with their own eyes, treasures and gold and silver all over the ground! The city gates have been surrounded!"
He Ming's entire face turned pale: "Wh-what?"
The grain storage was raided? Who would be so bold? The grain storage was never allowed entry.
Wang Changdong stood to the side, seemingly not surprised by this.
Having been immersed in officialdom for a long time, He Ming immediately understood.
"It's you!" He pointed at Wang Changdong and said, "You! I knew you came with ill intentions, but I didn't expect you to be so vicious!"
Wang Changdong said without showing emotion, "Not as vicious as County Magistrate He."
The surging crowd of people looked like they were about to pounce on He Ming. He Xingdong quickly stepped forward, pulled the dazed He Ming, and shouted, "Don't hit him! Don't hit him!"
How could Chief Administrator Wang really watch He Ming get hurt? He immediately grabbed his sleeve and pulled him inside the main gate, ordering the yamen runners, "Close the gate!"
The yamen gate closed, blocking the people outside. The yamen runners couldn't hold them back and, seeing the situation was bad, slipped away from the entrance first.
The crowd pounded on the vermilion gate, shouting He Ming's name.
He Ming was still in shock, breathless and distraught, trembling as he walked down the steps. It was only a few steps, yet he even tripped over himself.
He came from commoner origins, with no backing or background. To become the County Magistrate of Shuidong County, even if considered an insignificant official in the eyes of capital officials, was already bringing glory to his ancestors for him. He had been so careful, afraid of making a single wrong step. How did it end up like this?
He Xingdong supported him, feeling his trembling and fear, and tears instantly streamed down his face. His lips moved, and he reached out to hug him, patting his back soothingly, saying, "Dad, it's okay, it's okay, I'm here."
As he spoke, his voice began to choke, "Your son will always be with you, your son will protect you..."
"It... it was the County Commandant who harmed me..." He Ming swallowed, muttering deliriously, "I just told him to arrange the disaster relief grain and fodder, and it turned out like this."
He looked at Wang Changdong, suddenly regaining strength throughout his body, wanting to break free from He Xingdong and go towards the other man. He Xingdong hugged him tightly again, shouting, "Dad!"
He Ming asked with red eyes, "Wang Changdong! Why do you want to harm me? How did I offend you that you want to put me to death?"
Wang Changdong stood to the side, sighed softly, and turned around, "You haven't offended me, but you've offended many people. Those buried underground, those crying outside, listen for yourself, don't you feel you've committed evil?"
"I've committed evil? There are many above me who are far worse. Do you dare point at their noses and say they've committed evil? You're just picking on me because I'm easy to handle. Since you've already acted like a villain, why speak so righteously! You people above, with family protection, you are the ones truly committing evil!" He Ming's hands trembled violently. "I've also seen officials who were clean. One served as county magistrate for less than a year and was dismissed. Another, because he was poor and didn't bribe his superiors, was isolated and framed not long after. And countless other so-called officials! Do you have to force me to become one of them to be called just? There are no clean officials! There are simply no clean officials!"
He Ming accused emotionally, "They're all like that, why single me out? If not for the sudden drought in Shuidong County, the people here would only live better than in other places! Do you think I enjoy watching the people suffer, watching them starve to death? You forced me into this, this entire world forced me into this!"
The sounds from outside were like a giant hammer pounding his brain. He Ming took two steps forward and roared towards the gate, "Stop the noise! All of you, shut up!"
Wang Changdong did not speak.
He knew that in officialdom, He Ming was definitely not a very bad person; in fact, among the ranks of the "bad," he wouldn't even be ranked. At least he treated the common people kindly. He would try his best to satisfy the people's requests that didn't touch upon his interests. The county yamen wasn't just for show; he would get up early every day to handle affairs.
For someone from He Ming's background, reaching this point was already very difficult.
Indeed, no one was completely clean, including himself.
However, wrong was wrong. He Ming, for the sake of fame and fortune, allowed himself to wallow in this mire, becoming stained with filth. He had to be prepared to be exposed.
Shuidong County had suffered from drought for three years without relief, with tens of thousands starving to death. His greed was excessive. He was greedy for himself, and he also had to bribe others everywhere, being greedy for his superiors and for his subordinates. This had become a habit and something taken for granted – what a terrifying scene.
"You can't do anything to me. You are just a Chief Administrator and haven't taken office yet. You cannot interfere with the county yamen's internal affairs." He Ming steadied himself, finding a glimmer of hope. Someone would definitely protect him. He Ming beckoned to He Xingdong, "My son, help me to the study."
Wang Changdong said, "You don't need to write to anyone; writing to anyone is useless. I have already reported this matter to His Majesty. The memorial will reach His Majesty's desk in two days. Tomorrow, the Recording Secretary and Military Adjutant Cao Sipan will arrive in Shuidong County. Because of your improper conduct and inability to command respect, acting under urgent circumstances, he will temporarily manage Shuidong County's grain storage affairs. By the time you get the message out and call your accomplices to rush over, all the account books in the yamen have already been thoroughly examined by the two of us. It's too late for him to tamper with anything. Your guilt is established, and you cannot escape the law! Confess, County Magistrate He, and think carefully for your esteemed son."
He Ming turned around, and their eyes met.
He Ming's feelings at this moment were very complex, even he couldn't distinguish them. It was as if something he had waited for a long time had finally happened, like waking up from a long dream. Yet, it also felt like he was still in a trance, everything illusory.
He gripped He Xingdong's hand with increasing force, his knuckles protruding and turning white. Looking up, he found the sunlight in the sky dazzlingly bright, a seven-colored halo spreading out from the sun. He closed his eyes and fainted directly into He Xingdong's arms.
Not long after, the County Commandant, along with the city guards, escorted the rioting people arrested from the grain storage back to the yamen for interrogation. Although he knew that the few masterminds behind the scenes had likely escaped during the chaos, they absolutely could not be let off.
He had already messed up the disaster relief grain matter and didn't know what the consequences would be. He Ming still held leverage over him. If He Ming fell, he probably wouldn't escape implication either.
At least... he could arrest the culprits and vent some frustration.
Shuidong County wasn't big, nor was it small. It was a place where people had lived for decades; many, even if not acquainted, had seen each other. Seeing a group of relatives and friends being escorted over, the scene nearly got out of control.
The County Commandant was surrounded by the crowd, feeling utterly overwhelmed and wishing he could disappear.
Perhaps hearing the commotion outside, the yamen's vermilion gate reopened.
The situation outside instantly changed direction, and everyone surged back towards the yamen entrance from a distance.
However, it wasn't He Ming who walked out, but Wang Changdong.
Fang Shifei had been waiting here, fearing the situation would get out of control and the scene would become chaotic. Seeing someone come out at this moment, he immediately stepped forward, kowtowed, and shouted righteously, "Chief Administrator Wang has always been upright and detests evil as if it were his enemy! Please, Chief Administrator Wang, redress our grievances!"
The common people didn't understand why, but there had to be an official to take charge for them. Seeing this, they followed suit and shouted, "Redress our grievances!"
Wang Changdong pressed his hand down, signaling the crowd to be quiet. Then he stepped forward two paces and said slowly, "Everyone, please go back and rest. I have already truthfully reported this matter to the imperial court. If the county magistrate's corruption is true, I will certainly not ignore it."
Fang Shifei said, "Chief Administrator Wang, this humble and foolish student is merely rash and ignorant, with nothing but a fervent heart and a lowly life. I have personally witnessed the suffering of the people of Shuidong County, their plight deepening like water, burning like fire, yet I am powerless. Other than expressing my resolve here, there is no other way. Today, I resorted to this desperate measure only to seek a definite answer from Chief Administrator Wang, so that the fearful common people may feel at ease."
Chief Administrator Wang nodded, "After I report to His Majesty, I will certainly do my utmost to investigate thoroughly and give you justice."
Fang Shifei said, "Thank you, Chief Administrator!"
Hearing this, the common people were overjoyed.
Chief Administrator Wang told the people to disperse and let the County Commandant and others in.
There was some commotion starting on the street again. Wang Changdong preemptively said, "This is to clarify the situation, not to assign blame. Do not cause trouble."
Fang Shifei said, "These are all witnesses! All of you, speak carefully. They should be let in quickly."
Only then were the County Commandant and others safely let inside.
The guards came out again to disperse the crowd at the entrance and maintain order.
He Ming was still unconscious. Chief Administrator Wang subtly signaled the guards, telling them to take gongs and announce throughout the streets and alleys.
"The disturbance in the city today has been reported to His Majesty. Chief Administrator Wang has agreed to investigate this matter thoroughly. Please wait patiently for the result. Furthermore, anyone who deliberately causes trouble again is likely harboring malicious intentions and will be punished with severe penalties!"
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