Chapter 88 - 87: The Banquet
Chapter 88: Chapter 87: The Banquet
"Excellent. I hope this will help in the fight against the Water Bandits."
Chen Li considered it for a moment before nodding. ’In any case, these ledgers are of little use to me,’ he thought.
He paused, then asked, "Miss Mu, could you take another look through these letters and ledgers? See if there are any dealings with someone surnamed Zhang."
Though slightly confused, Mu Yuanying quickly reviewed them again.
Before long, she pulled out a piece of letter paper that had been crumpled and then smoothed flat. She pointed to a line. "This entry seems relevant. It reads: Seventh day of the seventh month, transported 20,000 shi of grain for the Zhang-surnamed grain store at Lao Yatan. Received 26,000 silver taels. Yama sent to Qinghe."
’Zhang... Could it be the Fengyu Grain Store?’
A sharp glint flashed in Chen Li’s eyes.
’So the Fengyu Grain Store is secretly fencing goods for the Water Bandits? But why would they even accept grain plundered by the bandits? What is their ultimate goal?’
Mu Yuanying carefully re-wrapped the ledgers and tucked them away securely. Her expression turned grave as she said in a low voice, "Uncle Chen, there is one more thing you must be mindful of. The Court is furious about the previous failure to suppress the bandits in Jingshan County and the loss of the government grain. County Magistrate Zhang Heming has been reinstated. His situation is tied to factional struggles within the Court; the political waters run deep and are treacherous."
Her tone grew heavier, carrying a clear warning. "Our previous raid on the Water Bandits’ stronghold was met with an ambush. Then, Magistrate Zhang acted rashly on his own, spooking them. His position is ambiguous. I, Yuanying, suspect that he may well be colluding with the Water Bandits. You and Shouheng must be on your guard."
Chen Li nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Miss Mu. I will certainly be cautious."
Mu Yuanying cupped her hands in farewell. "These ledgers are of the utmost importance. I must return to the County Magistrate’s Office at once to report. Farewell!"
Chen Li returned the gesture. "A safe journey, Miss Mu."
Shouheng saw her to the door.
"Chen Shouheng, I’ll be in the Mirror Mountain area with the main army for a while," Mu Yuanying said suddenly, turning her head back as she mounted her horse.
Then, with a squeeze of her heels, she was off.
...
Barely two days after Mu Yuanying’s departure, a government constable arrived at the door. He informed Chen Li that County Magistrate Zhang Heming was inviting all the Village Chiefs to a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Inn.
Chen Li’s brow furrowed. ’This is no friendly invitation,’ he thought.
The next morning, Chen Li changed into a respectable but understated cotton robe. He instructed Shouheng and Shouye to stay home, then drove the ox-cart toward Jingshan County Town.
When he arrived at the Drunken Immortal Inn, the third-floor private room overlooking the river, Tingtai Pavilion, was already filled with people. The mood, however, was far from celebratory.
The room was lavishly decorated, and a large mahogany table was laden with dried fruits, candied preserves, fine wine, and delicacies.
Yet, everyone seated wore a grave expression. No one had touched their chopsticks.
These men were all Village Chiefs from the various districts of Jingshan County, appointed by Zhang Heming himself. Right now, they were all on pins and needles.
A dozen or so men were already there when Chen Li entered the room.
He wasn’t well acquainted with them, having only met two of them briefly before. The rest were strangers.
When they saw Chen Li enter, the men simply exchanged nods. The atmosphere was stifling.
After brief introductions, a middle-aged Village Chief with a sallow complexion leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Village Chief Chen, do you have any idea why Magistrate Zhang has suddenly summoned us?"
Chen Li shook his head, answering cautiously, "I only just received the summons myself. Like you, I am uneasy and unsure of the reason."
Another man sighed. "Alas, I fear it’s nothing good. I heard the County Magistrate was only reinstated because someone in the Court vouched for him. The condition was that he must swiftly help eliminate the Water Bandits and redeem himself."
"We were just plundered by the Water Bandits last year. We were severely weakened, and our villages still haven’t recovered... I just hope this isn’t about another tax or levy..."
another added, his voice full of worry.
The men quietly exchanged bits and pieces of information they had heard, their words filled with anxiety and apprehension.
As they were murmuring amongst themselves, the door to the room swung open with a CREAK. Everyone instantly fell silent, their gazes fixed on the entrance.
County Magistrate Zhang Heming walked in slowly.
He wore a simple, dark blue robe and a square cap. His expression was impassive, his gait steady and deliberate.
His calm gaze swept over everyone present. Though he said nothing, he exuded an unquestionable authority that made the already tense atmosphere feel even more stifling.
He walked directly to the head of the table and sat down. Forgoing any pleasantries, he began in a flat tone, "I’ve kept you waiting. I’ve invited you all here today to discuss a great matter: how to protect our home and ensure the peace of our people."
His tone was bland, yet it seemed to carry an immense weight that made everyone’s heart skip a beat.
"I was recently away from the County Magistrate’s Office, and many matters were delayed as a result."
Zhang Heming’s tone shifted, remaining flat but growing colder. "I previously ordered every district to form and train a unit of Village Braves for local defense. I have heard that your progress has been slow, and that some of you have even feigned compliance while shirking your responsibilities. Is there any truth to this?"
"Your Honor, I assure you, that is not the case!"
"We have all been working diligently on the tasks you assigned, Your Honor. It’s just that our manpower and resources are truly limited. We simply lack the means!"
At his words, beads of sweat broke out on the foreheads of several Village Chiefs. They bowed their heads, some offering hurried explanations, others launching into tales of their hardships.
Zhang Heming ignored their pleas, his face a mask. "I can let the past be the past," he continued. "But now, the Water Bandits are rampant, and the army sent to suppress them has gathered in our territory. Local defense is a matter of utmost urgency."
"Starting today, every district must immediately and strictly adhere to the previous directive. You will form and drill your Village Braves. The rosters and training reports must be submitted regularly to the County Magistrate’s Office. I will dispatch officials to conduct periodic inspections. If anyone dares to shirk their duty again, they will be punished severely and without leniency!"
"Yes, yes... We will obey your orders, Your Honor!"
The Village Chiefs wiped the cold sweat from their brows and hastily agreed, not daring to voice the slightest objection.
Then, in that same flat tone, Zhang Heming dropped an even heavier burden. "There is one more thing. The Court has dispatched a great army to suppress the bandits. An army of men and horses consumes a vast amount of provisions daily. It is now imperative for the local Scholars and Gentry, as well as the common folk, to make donations and demonstrate their loyalty."
His gaze swept over their instantly ashen faces as he gave the undeniable command: "Each district in Jingshan County must, within one month, procure five thousand shi of grain and deliver it to the Government Granary at the County Magistrate’s Office. There will be no delays!"
"How much? F-five thousand shi?"
one Village Chief cried out, his voice trembling. "Your Honor, please, be reasonable! The Water Bandits just ransacked our village last year! Our granary was burned, our stores were plundered, and our people still don’t have enough to fill their stomachs. We... we simply have no grain to give!"
"Your Honor, five thousand shi... the amount is just too great. We common folk simply cannot bear such a burden..."
another man chimed in, his face contorted in misery, looking as if he were about to cry.
Others couldn’t help but exchange glances, their minds racing with suspicion.
’Five thousand shi per district... there are thirteen districts. That’s sixty-five thousand shi in total.’
’That’s enough to feed the Court’s thirty-thousand-man army for half a year. What could the County Magistrate possibly need so much grain for?’
’Besides, even when the Court sends an army to suppress bandits, the provisions are supposed to be allocated by the central government. Why is the entire burden being pushed onto Jingshan County alone?’
A murmur of unrest swept through the room, a mixture of resentment and indignation.
Zhang Heming swept a cold gaze over them, his expression still impassive. A soft "Hmph" was all it took to silence the unrest. "This is a critical matter of state and military affairs. Furthermore, the Court has already waived this year’s Land Tax for Mirror Mountain. How dare you try to shirk your duty? You are all leaders of your districts. You should appreciate the Court’s difficulties and do your utmost! Should any of you fail to deliver... Hmph."
That single, chilling sound silenced them all completely.
Finally, his gaze fell on Chen Li, who had remained silent throughout the entire meeting. "Chen Li," he said, his voice flat.
Chen Li cupped his hands, his posture neither servile nor defiant. "Your Honor."
"Lingxi and its neighboring villages were fortunate enough to be spared the Water Bandits’ ravages this year. Your fields are undamaged, and I imagine your granaries are quite full. I have high expectations for you..."
Zhang Heming looked at him, the corners of his mouth twitching into the faintest, most mirthless of smiles. "Your district will procure ten thousand shi of grain. I trust you won’t refuse. It’s a chance to set an example for your colleagues here."
...