It took Zhao Baozhu a full five days before the chaos surrounding the You family finally began to calm somewhat.
After sending word to the You residence, another twenty or thirty people voluntarily surrendered themselves at the yamen the very next day. The county jail became packed to bursting, forcing Zhao Baozhu to work day and night, sentencing the guilty to either execution or exile while sorting out and releasing those without crimes.
Zhao Baozhu sat with one hand supporting his forehead and the other holding an official document as he raised his eyes toward the woman standing below the hall.
The woman possessed delicate beauty and a somewhat slender frame. Though nervous, she showed no fear. Her bright eyes looked steadily toward Zhao Baozhu.
Ah Long and the others, standing nearby “watching the excitement,” noticed immediately that this concubine was unlike the previous ones. She actually appeared completely clear-conscienced. Just as they were wondering about it, Zhao Baozhu spoke:
“Huang Huan. In the thirty-third year of Yuanzhi, you were taken by You Qian as a concubine.” Glancing at the document in his hand, Zhao Baozhu lifted his eyes again. “However, I have heard among the common people that at the time, you were already engaged to be married, and that You Qian forcibly took you. Is this true?”
At those words, Huang Huan’s expression immediately shifted slightly, the light in her eyes growing brighter. “Yes, my lord—”
Halfway through speaking, tears suddenly welled in her eyes. She paused briefly before looking toward Zhao Baozhu again, her voice choking with emotion. “This common woman was… forcibly abducted by that villain You.”
Zhao Baozhu looked at her for a moment, then lowered his eyes. “Very well.” He picked up the official seal and stamped the document. “You Qian forcibly seized a civilian woman. Add another count to his crimes. You may return home now.”
Huang Huan had already prepared herself to be humiliated and interrogated. Zhao Baozhu’s words left her completely stunned on the spot. She had once been properly engaged, only to be unexpectedly noticed by You Qian and forcibly taken as a concubine. The years of humiliation and suffering she endured afterward were impossible to describe to outsiders.
If Zhao Baozhu had demanded testimony in open court, and those sordid details spread, then her reputation would surely have been ruined forever. She would never again be able to live with dignity.
Yet Zhao Baozhu had not questioned her about any of it.
For a moment, Huang Huan stood frozen in place. Seeing she had not moved for some time, Zhao Baozhu raised his head. “Why are you still standing there? Hurry along.”
Seeing the disbelief written across her face, Zhao Baozhu softened his voice slightly. “Go on. Your father and brothers are waiting outside.”
Only then did Huang Huan come back to herself. The humiliation that had burdened her for years had suddenly been washed clean in a single day. She wanted to say words of gratitude, yet though her lips trembled several times, not a single word came out.
Looking at Zhao Baozhu, a tear slid down from the corner of her eye.
She kowtowed three times toward him before rising and walking out of the county yamen. Sure enough, outside the crowd stood her father and brothers, anxiously peering toward the interior of the courthouse.
She rushed forward into her father’s embrace and finally cried like a child once more.
***
Inside the yamen, Zhao Baozhu let out a long breath. Leaning back against his chair with eyes closed, he raised a hand to rub at his throbbing temple.
Seeing this, Ah Long hurried forward and began massaging Zhao Baozhu’s temples. “Old Master, you’ve been busy for so many days. You should rest for a while.”
Zhao Baozhu frowned tightly, humming softly as Ah Long rubbed his head. “My head hurts so much.” His tone carried a faintly spoiled, almost coquettish note.
“We’ll have the physician come look at you later,” Ah Long coaxed, quickly bringing over a bowl of medicine. “Old Master, hurry and drink this while it’s still warm.”
The moment Zhao Baozhu saw the medicine, he pouted. Brushing Ah Long’s hand away, he stood up. “Let it cool first. I’ll drink it later.”
Ah Long immediately protested, anxiously shouting after him: “Old Master! How can you be like this?!”
Zhao Baozhu ignored him. Waving a hand dismissively, he walked down from the raised dais and stopped beside a scholar buried behind a desk piled with papers. Reaching out, he patted the man’s shoulder. The scholar jolted upright, ink stains still smeared across his face. This was Cheng Wenxiu, the xiucai scholar who had previously volunteered to join Zhao Baozhu’s side as a clerk and accountant.
Seeing Zhao Baozhu suddenly standing before him, Cheng Wenxiu startled badly. “M-My lord!”
“You’ve worked hard.” Zhao Baozhu smiled at him and glanced at the piles of ledgers on the table. “How goes the accounting?”
At once, Cheng Wenxiu looked ashamed. “I truly apologize, my lord. The accounts are simply far too complicated. I still need more time—”
“It’s fine,” Zhao Baozhu interrupted quickly. “I know one person can’t finish these calculations alone. Don’t rush yourself. Once I finish handling my own matters, I’ll come help you.”
Cheng Wenxiu’s eyes widened immediately, two bright red blushes blooming across his cheeks. “H-how could that be? My lord truly needn’t…”
Knowing the man was usually the thinnest-skinned of all, Zhao Baozhu merely smiled. “You needn’t say more. I’m definitely helping you.” Then, in encouragement, he gave the man’s shoulder a firm pat before turning and leaving.
Cheng Wenxiu stared blankly after his retreating figure. He watched Zhao Baozhu walk toward the doorway and say something to Shanyi, who leaned there holding his sword, before the two departed one after another.
Cheng Wenxiu’s lips moved slightly, but in the end, he awkwardly closed them again.
He had wanted to tell Zhao Baozhu to take better care of his health and stop skipping his medicine, yet ultimately he still failed to say it aloud.
***
Outside, Zhao Baozhu and Shanyi followed the village road toward the back mountain.
Walking beside him, Shanyi looked at Zhao Baozhu’s slightly pale complexion and said: “My lord truly should take your medicine properly. It wouldn’t be good if you left behind a chronic illness.”
Zhao Baozhu turned and smiled at him. Though his face was somewhat pale, his catlike eyes still shone brightly. “Brother Liu needn’t worry. I’ve always been hardy since childhood. Once I get a good sleep later, I’ll be perfectly fine.”
Shanyi smiled knowingly at that. For several nights now, Zhao Baozhu had stayed up interrogating criminals, and Shanyi had accompanied him through every sleepless night. “That’s true enough. I’m afraid even I’m nearly unable to endure it anymore.”
Thus the two chatted and joked as they followed the village path up the hillside.
Qingzhou, true to its name, was lush and verdant thanks to abundant rainfall. Both Shanyi and Zhao Baozhu had grown up running wild in the mountains, so climbing came naturally to them. Shanyi walked ahead, using his sword to slash away dead grass as they steadily climbed toward the summit.
But after passing through the forest and reaching the top, they suddenly found themselves before a swaying grove of apricot blossoms.
Shanyi stared in amazement. “To think there’s such a paradise hidden away here.”
Zhao Baozhu smiled faintly behind him. “I discovered this place long ago. I thought that if I ever had free time, it would be wonderful to come here with friends, drink tea, and compose poetry.”
At that, he paused slightly.
Everything about the Ye residence had been good, except that the capital lacked trees. No matter how carefully the courtyards were landscaped, winter still left everything bare and barren.
Back then, Zhao Baozhu had often thought of his green mountains and rivers back home, of all the beautiful scenery there. If only the young master could one day see it too, how wonderful that would have been.
But in the end, there was never any opportunity.
Zhao Baozhu shook his head and looked toward Shanyi. “Unfortunately, there’s no tea at the moment. And I don’t know how to compose poetry either.”
Shanyi burst out laughing at those words. “Now you’re joking again, my lord. You’re a jinshi graduate, how could you not know how to compose poetry? Although–”
As he spoke, he lowered his head and actually pulled a small jade-green alcohol cup from inside his robes. Smiling brightly at Zhao Baozhu, he said: “There may be no tea, but there is alcohol.”
Zhao Baozhu opened his mouth in surprise, then his eyes immediately lit up. “Brother Liu truly is a marvelous man!”
The two found a somewhat flat rock within the apricot grove and sat down together, eating dried persimmons that Shanyi had stolen from the kitchen to accompany the alcohol. Zhao Baozhu accepted the alcohol cup from Shanyi and took a sip. The cool liquor slid refreshingly down his throat, but the moment it reached his stomach it ignited like fire.
Zhao Baozhu frowned slightly. “What strong alcohol.”
Seeing this, Shanyi reached to take the cup back.
“I’m used to drinking strong liquor. My lord is still young, you’d best not drink anymore.”
But Zhao Baozhu refused to return it. Raising a brow, he shot Shanyi a grin. “Strong though it is, it’s invigorating!”
Shanyi froze for a moment, then laughed aloud. “My lord is a marvelous man as well!”
The two chatted and laughed together. From the mountaintop, they could see far below into the city, where the people had laid out banquets all along the marketplace street. Even from this distance, the sounds of firecrackers still echoed faintly upward.
Zhao Baozhu sighed softly. “They’re already celebrating this much just from catching a single You Qian. It truly shows how deeply the people suffered under the You clan.”
Shanyi lifted a brow. “My lord should stop being modest. This chain of stratagems of yours is something rarely seen throughout history. If it had been some pedantic scholar instead, I doubt he could’ve even gotten past the vicious servants around You Qian.”
Zhao Baozhu let out a cold snort. “It is precisely because the officials who governed here before were all spineless cowards that the You clan was allowed to grow so arrogant! If someone truly confronted them head-on, I refuse to believe no one could do anything about the You family!”
Listening to him, Shanyi thought to himself that this very willingness to confront them head-on was what made Zhao Baozhu so rare.
Most people, even without bloodshed, would have their knees go weak the moment the You family pushed gold and silver before them. Some might even fawn over them instead.
Shanyi had seen too many hereditary officials, men who drew salaries from the imperial court and were supported by the common people, yet mocked and exploited those same people in return. Forget lofty ideals or brilliant talent; among noble sons, it was difficult enough just to find one who wasn’t involved in debauchery and corruption.
Shanyi said: “Now that the You household has been confiscated, even if those so-called First and Second Masters return, they won’t be able to rebuild their power anytime soon. My lord may relax a little for now.”
He only said this because he had watched Zhao Baozhu labor tirelessly for days on end.
Yet Zhao Baozhu abruptly turned his head, brows arching sharply. “Who said I intend to let them come back?”
Shanyi froze.
Then he saw cold light flicker in Zhao Baozhu’s eyes as he spoke slowly: “Once I act, I do not leave roots behind! This nest of You scoundrels is far too vicious. If they’re allowed to return, more evil will only follow sooner or later. Better to cut through the mess cleanly and quickly.”
He paused, then continued: “And besides, how many people in this county have lost lives to their hands? One household? Two? Murderers deserve death in turn. If they are allowed to live, then where is justice in this world?”
Shanyi found himself speechless. After a long while, he finally frowned and said: “I’ve heard that Second Master You is ruthless and cruel. He’s traveled far doing business and surely has many men under him. I imagine he won’t be easy to deal with.”
At those words, Zhao Baozhu slowly exhaled. “I already know this. But even poisonous tigers do not eat their own cubs. No matter how utterly depraved a person is, everyone has weaknesses. Right now his entire family is in my hands, why should I fear having no way to deal with him?”
Shanyi’s eyes shifted slightly. He understood then that Zhao Baozhu already had a plan in mind. “My lord’s way of thinking truly surpasses ordinary people.”
After saying this, he paused, then added: “My lord’s every anger and every joy is tied to the common people. It is deeply admirable. But you should also think about your own future. One or two villains may be killed without issue, but as the saying goes, ‘An official one rank higher can crush a man to death.’ Acting as you are now… I wonder what the Qingzhou prefect thinks of it.”
Seeing the worry on Shanyi’s face, Zhao Baozhu merely smiled.
“That prefect is nothing but an alcohol sack and rice bag, a corrupt wastrel. I knew it from the very first day. There is rarely a perfect solution in this world. Once I resolved to deal with the You family, I also accepted that he and I would become irreconcilable enemies.”
He smiled faintly. “But I’m not afraid of him. For the sake of profit, he colluded with the You family, tampered privately with the tax laws, and has already committed grave crimes. I have already drafted every charge against him. Once the You family’s accounts are fully sorted out, I’ll submit everything directly to the Provincial Governor.”
Shanyi was startled.
He truly hadn’t expected Zhao Baozhu to have prepared such a move. Zhao Baozhu intended to bypass the prefectural level entirely and bring the You family’s crimes directly before the Provincial Governor.
The Provincial Governor oversaw all prefectures and counties and could even report directly to the imperial court. It really was an excellent method.
Yet after thinking it through carefully, Shanyi still felt uneasy. “The Provincial Governor handles countless affairs every day. If anything goes wrong…”
His words were tactful, but what he truly meant was that he did not trust high-ranking officials.
Without some benefit or familial connection, why would such an important official go out of his way to defend a mere county magistrate?
Yet Zhao Baozhu replied firmly: “Though I have never met the Provincial Governor, I believe in the wisdom of His Majesty. Those below may fail to see clearly, but the Provincial Governor is a second-rank official. He cannot possibly be some treacherous villain.”
He paused, then looked toward the thoughtful Shanyi with a smile. “Not to fear Brother Liu’s laughter, but I possess no influential background, no family wealth, and only modest talent. A person like me was still able to place among the top ranks in the imperial examination. That alone proves His Majesty is fair and just, capable of recognizing and employing worthy people.”
His eyes shone brightly. “If the current emperor were truly a foolish ruler with no care for the people, then someone like me would never have had a chance to rise in a thousand lifetimes.”
Though there was certainly some youthful idealization of the imperial family in his words, they were also Zhao Baozhu’s heartfelt truth.
Shanyi fell silent for a long while.
Then he stood up and cupped his hands respectfully toward Zhao Baozhu.
“My lord’s clarity of heart, loyalty, courage, and noble character truly inspire my deepest admiration. People like myself ought to feel ashamed beside you.”
A moment ago Zhao Baozhu had spoken boldly and confidently, yet the instant Shanyi praised him, he became embarrassed again. Red-faced, he hurriedly stood to help Shanyi up.
“Brother Liu praises me too highly, please rise quickly.”
Shanyi sat back down beside him and proactively poured him another cup of alcohol. “I offer this cup to my lord.”
Zhao Baozhu accepted it readily and drank it all in one go. Immediately, two rosy flushes bloomed across his cheeks, and his head began spinning. He bared his teeth with a grimace. “So spicy!”
Seeing this, Shanyi chuckled softly.
This Young Lord Zhao truly was a fascinating person. Though he was a rare sort of hero, he carried none of the arrogance of one. He was still young, merciless and ruthless toward villains, yet utterly sincere and wholehearted toward those close to him. It made people admire him deeply, feel grateful toward him… and inevitably worry over him as well.
Looking at Zhao Baozhu, Shanyi placed another dried persimmon into his palm and asked: “Besides the matter of the You clan, did my lord call me out here because there’s something else you couldn’t conveniently say at the yamen?”
The moment Zhao Baozhu had invited him out earlier, Shanyi had guessed he wanted to discuss something privately. He simply hadn’t known what could be important enough to avoid others hearing it.
When asked directly, Zhao Baozhu’s face suddenly flushed bright red. The blush of embarrassment mixed with the alcohol-redness, making his entire face look like a soft rice cake steamed with red beans.
Seeing this, Shanyi was inwardly startled. What sort of question could make him this embarrassed?
Zhao Baozhu sat there red-faced and silent for a while. Then he lifted his eyes and glanced at Shanyi, his lips moving uncertainly. “I… I have something I wish to ask Brother Liu. I only hope Brother Liu will forgive my offense.”
That only confused Shanyi further. “What are you saying, my lord? If there’s something you wish to ask, just say it directly.”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu hesitated again and glanced nervously at Shanyi. Then he leaned a little closer and lowered himself beside Shanyi’s ear, speaking in the quietest voice imaginable: “I… I want to ask Brother Liu…”
Zhao Baozhu stammered, biting his lower lip. Seeing Shanyi’s thoroughly puzzled expression, he finally clenched his teeth and forced the words out: “I want to know… how things work between a man and another man.”
