Fan Yaosan landed flat on his back like a toad, looking utterly ridiculous. Ah Long, standing nearby, could not help snorting with laughter at the sight, so this scoundrel could look pathetic too!
Hearing the laughter, Fan Yaosan hurriedly scrambled to his feet, his face alternating red and white. To think he had been frightened into such a state by a mere yellow-mouthed brat! If word got out, where would his dignity go?
Used to acting like a thug, Fan Yaosan immediately wanted to curse aloud. But the moment he lifted his head, he met a pair of icy eyes.
Zhao Baozhu stood upon the hall platform beneath the four golden characters on a blue plaque reading “A Bright Mirror Hangs High.” His eyes looked as though they had been steeped in poison.
Even Ah Long shivered when he saw that look from the side and hurriedly lowered his head. His master was handsome, with slightly upturned eyes. Usually he resembled some pampered cat, but when enraged, he was like a leopard.
All the filthy words in Fan Yaosan’s stomach lodged instantly in his throat. For a moment he was too shaken to move. After a long while, his expression shifted. Tugging at the corner of his mouth, he said quietly: “So Young Lord Zhao is unwilling to stamp it?”
He stared up at Zhao Baozhu from below the hall, his gaze venomous, like a snake flicking its tongue. “Perhaps my lord is too lofty to concern himself with the affairs of lowly folk. But once matters are reported back, I fear my master will not let things rest so easily. Let me speak plainly, my lord, whether you stamp that seal or not makes no difference. But if you refuse to stamp it, then I’m afraid certain honored persons may become displeased.”
At those words, Zhao Baozhu’s eyes flickered.
Naturally, he knew what Fan Yaosan was implying. The taxes from Wuya County ultimately had to be handed over to the prefectural government before being sent onward to the capital. For the You family to monopolize this business, they obviously had powerful backing above them. Zhao Baozhu absolutely did not believe the Prefect of Qingzhou knew nothing of this matter.
What shocked him was that the You family had entrenched themselves in this county for so long that they had become this brazen, actually daring to speak such things openly in front of him.
Good words cannot persuade a man bent on dying; mercy cannot save those determined to destroy themselves.
After generations of gorging themselves on illicit profits, the You family had grown drunk on their own power.
Coldness filled Zhao Baozhu’s heart, though none of it showed on his face. Suddenly he flung the ledger down the hall.
“If it makes no difference whether I stamp it or not, then go seek your honored patrons instead!”
His words were extremely forceful. Seeing that Zhao Baozhu refused to budge no matter what, Fan Yaosan’s face changed several times. In the end, he bent down to pick up the ledger and sneered: “I only advise my lord not to regret this in the future!”
Throwing down that threat, he turned and strode out.
Ah Long craned his neck to watch him disappear into the distance before spitting toward the doorway and muttering, “Bad luck!” Then, with a loud bang, he slammed the door shut.
Turning back toward the hall, he had originally been afraid Zhao Baozhu might fly into a rage. He cautiously studied his master’s face, only to discover there was merely coldness there, not anger, and only then dared approach.
“Old Master,” Ah Long said worriedly, “driving him out like this today, the You family surely won’t let it go. I think it’d be best if Old Master avoided going out these next few days.”
The You scoundrels fought dirty. He feared Zhao Baozhu would be ambushed in the streets and clubbed from behind.
Zhao Baozhu glanced at him and let out a cold laugh. “Just wait and see. He’ll come back.”
Ah Long froze, then nervously exclaimed, “Huh? Then what do we do?” After thinking for a moment, he suddenly raised his fist and swung it in the air, glaring fiercely. “How about Tao Zhang, Tao Rui, and I beat him back out together!”
Zhao Baozhu shot him an amused look and snorted, smiling with pursed rosy lips. “As if I’d need you for that.”
Then, after pondering for a moment, he lifted his eyes toward Ah Long. “You mentioned before that the current Third Master You in the city is a scholar?”
According to Ah Long, the You family was presently headed by three brothers: the eldest, You Zhen; the second, You Jiang; and the third, You Qian. Of the three, only You Qian was currently in the city, and he was also the only one among them who had studied. Supposedly, all of the You family’s grain accounts, finances, and monetary affairs were managed by this Third Master You.
Ah Long nodded. “That’s right.” Then, as though recalling something amusing, he sneered. “He’s the only one shameless enough to run around calling himself a scholar. Who doesn’t know even his xiucai degree was bought with donations? Bah! Everyone in the county knows he’s one of those fake refined gentlemen on the surface, while secretly there’s nothing filthy or rotten he won’t touch! Even I feel embarrassed listening to those doggerel poems of his. Only those opera singers would flatter him over them!”
Hearing this, a plan immediately formed in Zhao Baozhu’s mind.
A glimmer flashed through his eyes. His gaze shifted slightly, and a sly, roguish charm spread through the corners of his brows and eyes. Raising an eyebrow at Ah Long, he said: “Just wait and see. Once he comes to the door, I’ll have my own way of dealing with him!”
Watching the play of light in Zhao Baozhu’s eyes, Ah Long was momentarily stunned.
Just moments ago this man had been cold as Yama himself, yet now he was smiling again, like a cat that had just stolen cream. That little expression of his was devastatingly beautiful.
Ah Long truly could not understand his master. When angry, he could terrify people to death, yet he had been born with such a lovable appearance. One moment he acted kindly, the next viciously. It left people feeling as though their hearts were being fried alive in boiling oil.
***
Zhao Baozhu’s prediction proved correct. In less than three days, an “honored guest” indeed arrived at the county yamen.
The visitor was the only scholar of the You family, their third son, You Qian, who had earned a xiucai degree years ago.
Naturally, You Qian carried himself very differently from Fan Yaosan. Dressed in white robes and holding a jade fan, he strolled through the streets with several servants bustling around him. Every commoner who saw him hurriedly avoided him. The entire county knew You Qian was a smiling tiger and a hypocrite.
Though he always wore the pose of a refined scholar with a genial smile, the moment someone offended him, or simply displeased him, he would immediately report it to his two brothers. Soon after came the ruin of entire families.
The people had long since seen through such tricks and would never again be deceived by his gentle façade. At the sight of him, everyone kept far away.
Along the road, Fan Yaosan constantly badmouthed Zhao Baozhu, ranting about how the newly appointed magistrate did not know his place, how he was just a yellow-mouthed brat, and how he had openly insulted the entire You family without the slightest regard for them.
You Qian listened to it all, leisurely fanning himself before giving a cold snort. “So, he’s deliberately trying to oppose the You family?”
“Exactly!” Fan Yaosan cried. Then he shook his head dramatically. “Third Master, really now, how is it that these magistrates never understand the situation? He refuses to walk the broad sunny road, insisting instead on charging toward a dead end, ”
You Qian snorted coldly. “And what good did that do the last one? Didn’t he also boast at first about cleaning us up? In the end, wasn’t he still just a dog at my feet?”
Fan Yaosan bobbed and bowed beside him, flattering him all the way. “Naturally! In this world, who could there possibly be that our masters cannot control?”
You Qian curled his lips upward. Pride spread across his otherwise ordinary face. Tilting his head high, he strode toward the county yamen and glanced at Fan Yaosan. “Go knock.”
Fan Yaosan immediately stepped forward and hammered on the gate three times with loud bang bang bangs that could probably be heard for miles around. Anyone ignorant of the situation would think they had come to smash the place apart rather than visit a government office.
Within moments, hurried footsteps sounded from inside.
Then Ah Long’s face appeared behind the door. The instant he recognized You Qian, he abruptly dropped to his knees and said: “This humble one did not know Third Master You had arrived and failed to welcome you from afar. I beg Third Master’s forgiveness.”
You Qian froze in surprise.
He recognized Ah Long as the servant who had accompanied the previous magistrate. After a moment, he raised a brow and looked him up and down. “Well now, so it’s you. Since when did you learn proper manners?”
In the past, the servants of the county yamen had avoided the You family like mice avoiding a cat, no different from their cowardly masters. Seeing Ah Long behave this way today genuinely surprised him.
Ah Long lowered his head and said, “This little one was ignorant before and offended Third Master. But the new magistrate has taught me proper etiquette, and now I understand.”
Hearing this, You Qian was quite surprised. A trace of smug satisfaction appeared on his face. He gave a huff, lifted his foot, and lightly kicked Ah Long. “Get up.”
Ah Long sprang to his feet and bowed as he ushered the You family entourage inside.
Following behind him, You Qian entered the hall. The main chamber had been tidied neatly, with several tables and chairs arranged properly. Ah Long guided You Qian to the seat of honor before turning and leaving. Not long after, he returned carrying two bowls of clear tea.
“Our old master knows Third Master has come. He’s in the back changing clothes and will come out shortly.”
Ah Long spoke softly as he set down the teacups.
Never before had You Qian received such treatment at a county yamen. The previous magistrate had looked upon them as though seeing ghosts, wishing for the You family to leave as quickly as possible, how could there have been tea served? Yet when they visited the prefectural office, they themselves became little more than grandsons before the prefect.
You Qian lifted the tea bowl. The moment he opened the lid, a fresh fragrance of tea rose to meet him. Though the You family tyrannized their corner of the world, being treated respectfully by the government was a different matter entirely. Especially for a fake lofty scholar like You Qian, who fancied himself a man of letters.
He lowered his head to sip the tea and found himself deeply pleased. His expression softened by several degrees as he looked up at Ah Long and said: “This humble commoner is merely a merchant. There’s no need for such solemn courtesy. Tell your old master not to hurry on my account.”
Even his speech had become refined and literary.
Ah Long glanced at him and acknowledged the order before withdrawing.
But Fan Yaosan, standing nearby, stared with wide eyes, his face twisted at the scene before him. Last time he came, he had not even been offered a seat! Ah Long had treated him with open disdain, yet in just a few days, how had the entire county yamen changed so completely?
Before he could make sense of it, the sound of footsteps suddenly rang out.
Holding his tea bowl, You Qian turned toward the noise and saw a slender figure walking out from the inner chambers.
…
The newcomer wore a black official robe embroidered with swallow-and-sparrow patterns, cloud-cloth boots upon his feet, and a black gauze official hat atop his head. His back was straight, his figure upright and elegant. At first glance alone, one could already tell he was an exceptionally handsome person.
But when he drew closer and his face came fully into view, You Qian was truly stunned.
The man in official robes had upturned cat-like eyes, crimson lips, a jade-like nose, refined brows, and a handsome face. His expression held little emotion, yet there was an innate air of lofty dignity about him.
Seeing him stop before him, You Qian heard him say after his gaze paused briefly on him:
“So this is Third Master You.” Then he added, “I was changing clothes in the back just now and kept you waiting.”
Only then did You Qian jolt back to his senses. He realized he was still sitting there holding his tea bowl. Hastily setting it down, he shot to his feet and instinctively bowed with clasped hands, offering Zhao Baozhu the salute of a scholar.
“Not at all, not at all. This humble one has only sat here for a short while.”
“No need for ceremony.” Zhao Baozhu lightly helped him up, his every movement incomparably graceful. “Please, sit.”
You Qian raised his head and sat down together with Zhao Baozhu. Then he saw that this “Young Lord Zhao,” whom Fan Yaosan had described as overbearing and arrogant, was looking at him warmly, with what seemed to be faint admiration in his eyes.
“This official has only recently arrived, yet I’ve already heard of Brother You’s literary reputation. Seeing you today, it truly lives up to the rumors.”
You Qian, who prized his xiucai degree above all else, loved hearing others praise his talent. At once his eyes lit up. “Truly? I wonder who said so?”
Zhao Baozhu smiled. “Why would anyone need to say it? Everyone in the city already knows.”
Instantly, You Qian felt as though warm water had flowed through his heart. He carried himself with even more scholarly bearing as he asked Zhao Baozhu: “I’ve heard Young Lord Zhao is a newly graduated jinshi?”
A faint flicker passed through Zhao Baozhu’s eyes as he nodded. “Yes.”
The dynasty revered literary achievement. From the imperial court down to the common people, everyone held the examination system in the highest esteem. Even among county magistrates, one who came from the jinshi ranks possessed far more prestige than one who had merely passed the provincial exams.
Hearing this, You Qian regarded Young Lord Zhao even more highly and eagerly began discussing academics with him.
Though Zhao Baozhu’s learning was nothing remarkable among the scholars of the capital, fooling a mere xiucai was effortless. And since he intentionally flattered You Qian, their conversation became unexpectedly harmonious.
The You family might call themselves local gentry, but in truth they were scarcely different from a bandit den. You Qian had always fancied himself a true scholar and looked down on associating with his two brothers. Now, with Zhao Baozhu openly and subtly praising him at every turn, he felt as though bathed in a spring breeze, utterly comfortable and pleased.
“As expected of a jinshi of our dynasty, your bearing is truly extraordinary,” You Qian said, shaking his head with a smile. “This humble one need not hide it from you, my lord. Alas, my family circumstances are unfortunate, forcing me into trade and commerce. I wish to devote myself to study, yet every day I’m denied peace and quiet.”
At this, Zhao Baozhu frowned slightly as though disapproving. “With talent such as Third Master’s, how can you neglect your studies over these worldly trifles? You should apply yourself diligently and earn official honors soon, so that you may serve the court.”
Though the words sounded like a lecture, You Qian found them extraordinarily pleasing.
By speaking this way, Zhao Baozhu was treating him entirely as a fellow scholar. For a moment, You Qian practically felt himself to be part of the empire’s civil official class already.
He could barely suppress the smile on his face, though he still forced himself to sigh with affected melancholy.
“I too wish to pursue the examination path, but unfortunately…”
He trailed off deliberately. Seeing this, Zhao Baozhu lifted his eyes and said readily: “If Third Master truly has such aspirations, then perhaps this official could write a recommendation letter and send it to the Imperial Academy.”
You Qian was so shocked that he stopped fanning himself altogether. “M-my lord means…the Imperial Academy in the capital?”
“Precisely.” Zhao Baozhu nodded calmly. “I know a few former colleagues in the capital. I could ask them for assistance.”
You Qian was dumbfounded. “T-this…my lord truly means it?”
“Naturally.” As Zhao Baozhu spoke, he actually withdrew a letter from his sleeve and handed it to You Qian. “Speaking of which, there is another matter in which I must trouble Brother You.” He passed over the letter. “I’ve heard the You family maintains its own couriers. Would Brother You help this official send this letter to the capital?”
His tone and movements were perfectly natural, as though sending correspondence to the capital were the most ordinary matter in the world.
You Qian accepted the letter and saw that it indeed bore an address in the capital, the envelope thick with contents.
Could it be that Zhao Baozhu truly had official colleagues serving in the capital?
You Qian’s heart jumped. By now, he already half believed Zhao Baozhu’s claims. After all, when serving as an official, personal connections were of utmost importance.
He hurriedly took the letter and said: “My lord may rest assured. Once I return home, I’ll have this delivered immediately.”
Zhao Baozhu nodded. “Then I’ll trouble Brother You with it.”
His expression remained composed. He showed no excessive warmth or ingratiation, as though it were only natural for You Qian to do such things for him.
Yet that very attitude made You Qian esteem him even more. This was how an official ought to carry himself, with dignity and authority. Unlike the previous magistrate, who groveled daily and looked utterly spineless.
You Qian was more than willing to help this young Young Lord Zhao. Taking the envelope, he turned and barked at the still wide-eyed Fan Yaosan: “Hurry and take it! The moment we return home, send it out at once using the fastest horse!”
Only now did Fan Yaosan seem to awaken from a dream. He shuddered and stepped forward belatedly to accept the letter. You Qian frowned at his behavior. Fan had always been quick-witted before, why did he seem today as though he had drunk himself senseless?
Yet the next moment, a loud crash exploded beside him.
Startled, he turned his head, only to see the tea bowl on the table swept onto the ground, shattered into pieces.
Nearby, Zhao Baozhu had abruptly risen to his feet. He cast You Qian an icy glance. “Since Brother You came today only to insult this official, then please leave!”
With that, he flicked his sleeves and turned to go.
This sudden turn completely stunned You Qian.
He quickly rose and chased after Zhao Baozhu to stop him. “My lord, Young Lord Zhao, what do you mean by this?”
Zhao Baozhu halted. His eyes scraped across You Qian’s face like blades.
“I had thought Brother You a man of noble character, incapable of such despicable conduct. It seems this official misjudged you!” Lifting his chin, he said coldly: “Please return this official’s letter.”
Now You Qian truly panicked.
Originally, he had regarded helping Zhao Baozhu send the letter as a tacit understanding between officials and merchants. Today he would help mail Zhao Baozhu’s letter; next time, perhaps Zhao Baozhu would send out a recommendation letter to the Imperial Academy on his behalf!
Now Zhao Baozhu wanted the letter back, how could he agree to that?
He hurried around in front of Zhao Baozhu, bowing repeatedly. “Young Lord Zhao, Young Lord Zhao, please don’t be like this, ”
Bent at the waist, he looked up helplessly at Zhao Baozhu’s icy face. “Even if I’m to die, at least let this humble one die understanding why!”
He genuinely could not figure out how he had insulted Zhao Baozhu at all!
At those words, Zhao Baozhu turned back and stared at him, his expression shifting several times as though wanting to speak yet unable to. After a moment, he let out a heavy sigh, flicked his sleeve, and returned to his seat.
Seeing this, You Qian’s heart jolted. Had he truly, unknowingly, violated some terrible taboo?
Standing before Zhao Baozhu, he could neither stand comfortably nor sit properly. He could only bow again and say: “This humble one is crude and careless. If I have somehow offended my lord, I truly cannot understand it. I beg Young Lord Zhao to enlighten me!”
Zhao Baozhu kept a cold face and stubbornly turned his head away from him. Only after You Qian bowed two more times did he finally say quietly: “You claim to respect me, yet today you brought that filthy creature with you. What did you mean by that?”
You Qian froze mid-bow. At first he did not even realize who Zhao Baozhu meant by “that filthy creature.”
But when he turned his head and saw Fan Yaosan standing there stupidly to one side, inspiration suddenly struck.
“You mean–” He looked from Fan Yaosan back to Zhao Baozhu. “Fan Yaosan offended you?”
Zhao Baozhu still refused to look at him, but his brows knit together as though merely hearing Fan Yaosan’s name disgusted him immensely. Seeing this, You Qian looked at the jade-like Zhao Baozhu before him, then turned to glance at Fan Yaosan, a man whom calling a toad would practically be a compliment.
His expression suddenly changed dramatically.
The next instant, he lifted his foot and kicked Fan Yaosan violently to the ground. “You d*mned old beast! How dare you offend the county magistrate?!”
He had used his full strength in that kick. Fan Yaosan cried out miserably and collapsed onto the floor, now truly resembling a flattened toad.
Unable to understand how You Qian had suddenly abandoned all sense of loyalty, he raised his head in disbelief.
“T-Third Master! Y-you’ve lost your mind! It’s this dog-official who refused to stamp the tax records!”
You Qian froze at those words. He did remember that day when Fan Yaosan had returned with the unstamped tax forms, cursing Zhao Baozhu nonstop. But before he could react, Zhao Baozhu spoke faintly from behind him: “Dog-official?”
The moment those two words were uttered, not only You Qian but even Fan Yaosan trembled.
Zhao Baozhu’s face was icy cold. Without the slightest hesitation, he raised his hand and hurled the remaining tea bowl on the table straight at Fan Yaosan’s head. “I think you’re the one who can’t tell who’s master and who’s servant!”
Fan Yaosan let out a miserable scream as blood instantly poured down from his head.
The tea bowl flew past You Qian’s side, frightening him so badly that his legs nearly gave out beneath him. Then he saw Zhao Baozhu spring to his feet with a whoosh, eyes blazing with fury as he barked: “If the prefect is your master and this official is not, then go find him instead! Don’t ever come back to my yamen again!”
With that, he flung his sleeve and made to leave.
The moment those words came out, realization struck You Qian like lightning.
So that was what all this had been about, because the You family had failed to show Zhao Baozhu proper respect!
Thinking back on all the gossip Fan Yaosan had spread these past few days, You Qian suddenly understood everything.
That shallow-eyed old dog had clearly thrown his weight around in front of Zhao Baozhu by relying on the You family’s power, angering him, and then returned claiming the new magistrate “didn’t know what was good for him.”
For a local gentry clan like the You family, there was a tremendous difference between the government opposing them and the government working with them for mutual benefit.
And truthfully, Fan Yaosan’s earlier words had not been entirely accurate. While the prefect’s seal was indeed required on the tax records, in previous years the county magistrate’s seat had been vacant, allowing the documents to go directly to the prefectural office. But now Zhao Baozhu had officially taken office. If the tax forms still lacked the county seal, even the prefectural office would have trouble justifying it.
You Qian inwardly cursed as he shot a cold glance at Fan Yaosan, who was clutching his head and wailing on the ground. This old fool had become increasingly arrogant. Calling someone “unappreciative” was one thing, but first you had to show them proper courtesy! A clever and reasonable man like Zhao Baozhu must have been provoked into anger by however outrageously this old dog had behaved that day.
And thinking further, perhaps the old dog had felt humiliated after losing face before Zhao Baozhu. That was why he had returned spreading talk about the new magistrate refusing to cooperate with them, in order to incite You Qian into coming to “deal with” Zhao Baozhu and avenge him.
He had nearly been used as a knife by a servant.
A flash of venom crossed You Qian’s face, though now was not the time to settle accounts with Fan Yaosan. Straightening himself immediately, he hurried over to support Zhao Baozhu. “Oh dear, look at this, just a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding—”
Helping Zhao Baozhu back into his seat, You Qian lowered his attitude even further upon seeing that delicate face still set in anger. “So that’s what this was about. It turns out this old dog offended my lord with his barking. I don’t know which fool below arranged things so poorly, sending filthy creatures like this to meet my lord. How could our family possibly not respect you? You are our parent-official! The prefect is our master, yes, but so are you, both of you, both of you! As the saying goes, ‘a distant god is not as useful as a nearby Buddha.’ How could there be any logic in respecting only the prefect while neglecting the county magistrate?”
As he spoke, You Qian carefully studied Zhao Baozhu’s expression and indeed saw it soften considerably.
Turning back toward him, Zhao Baozhu said: “As expected, Brother You is a sensible man.” He looked at him with apparent admiration. “The moment I saw Brother You’s noble bearing, I knew you could not possibly be such a muddleheaded person.”
Hearing this, a warm feeling suddenly surged through You Qian’s chest, and he found himself absurdly pleased.
Truth be told, aside from Zhao Baozhu’s scholarly credentials, his appearance and bearing played no small role as well. With a beauty like this, people were naturally eager to flatter him. Had it been the old magistrate instead, just looking at him would have felt like a waste of salary.
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