Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After seeing off Magistrate Zhang, Ji Chu, the newly appointed magistrate of Anqiu County, officially took office.

There wasn’t much business in this small border county.

The foremost concern was the winter relief before the New Year.

The northwest winter was cold and long. Ordinary families might manage, but for the elderly living alone or orphaned children, surviving was a struggle.

Everyone talked about the New Year, but how to get through it was a serious problem.

Ji Chu returned to the government office, intending to address the matter.

Even in modern times, preparing for a good winter requires extensive planning, let alone in ancient days.

So, upon returning through the city gate, he headed straight to the main hall.

He was a man who loved his work and took it seriously.

But before he even reached the office, he found the usually quiet courthouse entrance bustling like a vegetable market.

“I have grievances to present!”

“Please, noble magistrate, give us justice!”

“Is there anyone in charge here?”

Having just finished escorting Magistrate Zhang, Ji Chu was still in plain clothes. As he stepped forward, someone said, “Line up! There are many people today seeking justice from the magistrate!”

“Why so many?” Ji Chu asked.

The man chuckled and replied, “Weren’t you invited here by Master Zhao?”

Master Zhao, also known as Qian Gu, was a shrewd clerk.

He had called so many people to come and complain?

Ji Chu glanced around and began to understand. Following the man’s words, he said, “They’re here to trouble the new magistrate, aren’t they?”

“He just took office and can’t handle such matters yet.”

“Exactly. Big and small affairs in Anqiu County are still under Master Zhao’s control, maybe with Master Fan assisting.”

Master Fan was the criminal law clerk, always called Second Master Fan.

Ji Chu smiled faintly, making the man’s hair stand on end.

Just then, Master Zhao briskly walked over with a smiling face, calling out, “Magistrate, you’re back! Come inside quickly; there’s a lot going on today.”

“Magistrate?” The ruffian who had spoken to Ji Chu widened his eyes in alarm.

Doomed!

The ruffian turned tail and fled immediately, unwilling to stay a moment longer.

Master Zhao looked puzzled, unaware that his little schemes had already been seen through.

Ji Chu ignored him and instead looked at Master Fan, saying, “Question everyone one by one. See what cases they’ve come to report today. Have them respond to me individually.”

Master Fan wanted to refuse but heard Ji Chu say, “I’ve heard you’re called Second Master here. Is there a hierarchy among you clerks?”

Second Master Fan!

Who dared call him that behind his back?

All clerks knew Master Zhao was more powerful, but with a little provocation, Master Fan quickly obeyed Ji Chu’s orders, having the complainants line up to respond to the magistrate one by one.

This unsettled many.

They had come just to swell the numbers; why now respond individually?

That was the magistrate, after all. One small mistake could mean a beating.

Upon hearing this, half the crowd hurried away, leaving Master Zhao stomping in frustration.

He hadn’t expected the new magistrate to not only be unafraid but willing to help sort things out.

Well, the remaining petitioners could keep him busy for at least ten to fifteen days.

He didn’t believe this inexperienced scholar official, who was still recovering from illness, could handle everything properly.

By noon, Master Zhao’s face grew increasingly green.

Supposedly inexperienced.

Supposedly frail.

Supposedly just pulled in after exams.

But after questioning case after case, the new magistrate had not shown the slightest weakness; instead, he had gained deeper understanding of Anqiu County.

This was not good news for him.

“So, you stirred up trouble and fabricated a case to mock this official?” Ji Chu slammed his wooden gavel and demanded.

The man instinctively glanced at Master Zhao.

“Save me!”

He had intended to flee, but being related by marriage to Master Zhao, he stayed, only to be exposed after a few questions.

“Tell me, what’s your purpose?” Ji Chu pressed.

Zhao Wu quickly begged for mercy as the constables raised their batons.

“Master Zhao! Cousin Zhao, save me!”

Master Zhao shot him an icy glare.

Ji Chu’s gaze shifted, smiling, “So this is your relative? Why fabricate a false case? Were you instructed by him?”

Master Zhao hurriedly distanced himself and signaled Zhao Wu to take the blame first, promising to compensate later.

As Zhao Wu gritted his teeth to confess, the magistrate leisurely declared, “Since you dare play tricks on me upon my arrival, you shall receive fifty strokes first, then six months of labor.”

What?!

How many?

Ji Chu told the constables, “I know you know your work; make sure the punishment is fully carried out.”

Fifty strokes, fully administered!

If they really hit him that hard, he’d lose half his life!

And another six months of labor to come!

Seeing Master Zhao remain silent, Zhao Wu pleaded, “Your honor, save me! I was ordered by Master Zhao to make up the case casually, not to deceive you intentionally.”

These people were united by self-interest; if the benefits were uneven, betrayal was easy.

The other petitioners hearing about the fifty strokes for deceiving the magistrate scattered immediately.

Who stayed behind was a fool!

Only Master Zhao’s legs went weak.

The new magistrate was supposed to be weak and easily bullied!

He had planned to show the new magistrate who was boss, but now everyone knew he was no match!

After this incident, everyone in the Anqiu County office knew the new magistrate was not one to be trifled with.

As for Master Zhao, he broke a sweat, having lost more than he gained.

“Magistrate, please don’t believe these petty people’s words. You are our superior. How could I, your subordinate, dare to act in such a manner?” Master Zhao quickly begged.

Ji Chu had learned from Magistrate Zhang that Master Zhao was a cunning figure, well acquainted with local elites, and capable of raising substantial donations for winter relief, so he was reluctant to move against him.

Though Ji Chu disagreed inwardly, this was a convenient excuse for now.

“Is that so? Then it is your negligence in managing your relatives,” Ji Chu said slowly. “For your position as clerk, I’ll give you a chance to make amends.”

“At a rate of one stroke per tael, you may redeem his punishment. The silver will be used as a public fund to compensate the constables on duty today.”

At this, the constables’ eyes lit up.

The sudden influx of hundreds of people had been a huge nuisance.

But compensation changed everything!

Besides, Master Zhao wanted to intimidate the new magistrate but ended up burdening the constables too, so they deserved recompense.

Master Zhao was reluctant to pay.

After all, handing over silver meant submission.

But Zhao Wu glared fiercely at him, threatening to reveal more if not paid.

The constables were exhausted.

Moreover, the magistrate’s sharp gaze made his meaning clear.

Fifty taels straight away.

His heart bled!

“Thank you for your mercy, magistrate. I’ll send someone home immediately to fetch the fifty taels,” Master Zhao said through gritted teeth.

Ji Chu raised an eyebrow, “And the six months’ labor? That’s yet to be accounted for.”

He looked to Master Fan and asked, “Master Fan, how much should that be worth?”

Usually suppressed by Master Zhao, Master Fan was surprised to have the upper hand. His eyes brightened. “Another fifty taels.”

“A total of one hundred taels,” Ji Chu concluded.

Master Zhao really clenched his teeth now.

One hundred taels!

That would strip him of a hundred taels outright!

As he left resentfully, laughter and compliments for the new magistrate echoed behind him.

Ji Chu smiled as if he had done nothing at all.

But everyone knew this new magistrate was a master of subtle, merciless control.

Things were sure to get lively from here on.

Now it was a question of whether the new magistrate would subdue Master Zhao or Master Zhao would overpower the magistrate.