Outside, everyone was anxious. Not only was Wei Ping panicking, even Zhang Rusheng’s legs were trembling.
“Oh no, the magistrate—he won’t die in there, will he?”
The thought crossed his mind, but Zhang immediately slapped his own face. Tch, tch, tch, the magistrate had said he would treat him to fine food and drink—there was no way he’d be undone by such a minor matter.
Half an hour later, Zheng Xingcheng finally emerged, pale and exhausted, completely drained. He looked pitiful.
Pei Zhu saw this and immediately knew all was well. If Zheng had truly confessed, he wouldn’t appear like this; he would be frantic, reckless, and mocking Pei Zhu mercilessly.
Pei Zhu took a few strides forward and effortlessly helped the small-statured Zheng along, whispering, “Thank you.”
Zheng responded with a cold snort.
The magistrate often sneered—Pei Zhu had long since become immune. In any case, Zheng had kept his wits in a life-or-death situation. Next time, Pei would bring him along; reliable.
Soon, Zhang Rusheng pushed Pei Zhu aside, only to see him called back inside.
Zhang smirked inwardly. Zheng had already been thoroughly tormented—how could Pei Zhu remain unscathed? After helping Zheng to a seat, Zhang asked, “Sir, what did they ask you inside?”
Wang Chuo and Wei Ping both looked over.
Wiping his sweat, Zheng answered. What did they ask? Naturally, about every detail of the Hu people’s southern incursion and how they had repelled them. Zheng hadn’t hidden anything about the incendiary device—but Du Liangchuan was perceptive and immediately guessed it was petroleum pitch. Yuzhou had the same material, so he wasn’t impressed by Yongning County’s small-scale efforts; he was merely surprised the county had any combat capability at all.
As for the stolen taxes and funds, fortunately Zheng and Pei had prepared their story in advance, cleaning up the ledgers. Zheng’s firm-minded nature ensured he wouldn’t slip under repeated questioning.
Zheng still couldn’t understand why Du Liangchuan targeted him, despite his constant flattery—even delivering meals himself yesterday. Yet Du Liangchuan wasn’t swayed; Zheng had been unlucky to be the first interrogated. Flattery backfired.
Few knew the details of the taller newcomer, and Zheng had never intended to tell Zhang, but Zhang, not very bright, had blurted it all out. He quickly waved it off: “They only asked about the city defenses and warehouse affairs—very thorough, so it took some time.”
Zheng had wrestled with whether to reveal everything, but reason told him it wasn’t necessary. Deception served him best. If cornered, he could always sacrifice a tail to survive—but now wasn’t the time.
Zhang muttered, “They spent so long on such minor matters?”
Zheng sighed: “Exactly.”
Seeing the irritating Wei Ping eavesdropping, Zhang shot him a glance and whispered, “Sir, you didn’t file a complaint against the magistrate? Perfect opportunity!”
Zheng smirked. Naturally, he had.
He avoided the deadly matters but subtly targeted Pei elsewhere. For example, regarding the funds borrowed from Yuzhou, Zheng almost blatantly hinted that Pei refused repayment, and the county office had now agreed not to repay.
Pei Zhu, of course, was being singled out!
Indeed, when Pei heard about the debt a second time, he realized Zheng must have said something. He hurried to deflect: “Sir, this money and grain were stolen by the Hu people. They were so violent—shouldn’t we send a formal letter to the Eastern Hu to demand restitution? We can’t let Yongning County suffer unfairly, can we?”
“Cough—” Du Liangchuan nearly choked on his tea, his nostrils burning. Straightening his posture, he eyed Pei in bewilderment. Was this magistrate a fool?
Pei put on an innocent expression: “During peace negotiations between the two countries, the Eastern Hu still allowed their people to behave so recklessly. This shows contempt for our Liang state—shouldn’t justice be served?”
Du Liangchuan didn’t expect such audacity. Liang had initiated the negotiations; they held no advantage. Demanding repayment or reprimand? Preposterous. But he could only rebuke: “The facts haven’t been fully investigated; do not speak recklessly.”
Pei protested: “How else to verify? It was clearly the Hu people. The entire county witnessed it. Are you suggesting the county officials themselves stole the taxes and funds?”
Du Liangchuan had considered this but knew Pei and company lacked such daring—this was a capital crime. Who would attempt it?
Pei continued: “Yongning County suffers constant harassment from the Hu. We cannot let them go unpunished. Sir, you must act on behalf of over two thousand households here—the county relies entirely on you.”
“Enough, enough,” Du Liangchuan interrupted as Pei’s voice grew louder, even ignoring the unpaid debt, summoning the warehouse guards for questioning.
These had already been taken for separate interrogations; their testimonies matched Pei and Zheng’s exactly.
Originally, fewer than 2,000 Hu had invaded, but their testimonies doubled the number. The Hu split into two groups: one feigned an attack to distract the county; the other snuck behind and incapacitated the warehouse guards, stealing funds and grain.
By the time the county realized their rear had been looted, it was too late.
After deciding to secretly keep some grain, Zheng intended to punish the guards directly. But Pei saved them, earning their loyalty—they swore the Hu were to blame.
One guard, pointing to his broken arm, stated: “My arm was broken by the Hu. They knocked us unconscious and broke my arm—so cruel! If we hadn’t restrained ourselves to avoid attracting wild animals, we might have all died.”
He kowtowed: “Sir, can I demand medical expenses from the Hu?”
Du Liangchuan: “……”
Crazy, weren’t they? Did they know what they were asking? Even the governor wouldn’t dare demand compensation.
Other county staff were interrogated individually; unsurprisingly, those aware of the situation insisted it was the Hu, while the ignorant ones’ testimonies coincided—they all unconditionally blamed the Hu. Only the Hu were capable of such cruelty.
Still, Du Liangchuan found it odd and investigated the townspeople. The locals despised the Hu so thoroughly that even those who hadn’t seen the theft would insist:
“Yes, the Hu stole it—I saw it myself!”
“I chased them for three li! But couldn’t catch up.”
“This time the Hu were clever, faking attacks—so despicable!”
Zheng: “……”
If he hadn’t transported the grain, he might have believed them. Previously, he hadn’t realized these people loved exaggerating.
Still, this was fortunate—the Hu’s cruelty had enraged the populace. Even without Pei speaking, they eagerly provided evidence against the Hu. United testimonies made it undeniable.
Du Liangchuan remained silent, then led his team to the outskirts. The closest village, Shangying, had already sent people to greet the magistrate. Upon arrival, they saw another person ahead—surely a high-ranking Yuzhou official.
October was approaching; winter wheat sprouted in the fields, lush and green. Du Liangchuan remarked ambiguously: “Wasn’t Yongning County’s harvest supposed to be poor this year?”
Pei nodded: “It wasn’t good. After taxes, there wasn’t even seed left. When the theft happened, the people were heartbroken—it was their hard-earned grain. Deputy Magistrate Zheng couldn’t bear their suffering, so he offered his own seed for them. Officials like him are the true blessing of Yongning County.”
Zheng felt a small sense of pride—Pei acknowledged his contribution.
“Deputy Magistrate Zheng?” Du Liangchuan looked surprised. Short and somewhat unrefined, he didn’t appear as dignified as Pei—but could he possess such magnanimity? “Is your family wealthy?”
Zheng hurriedly replied: “Not at all, just years of savings. After offering this, we’re ruined. Luckily, Yongning has few households; otherwise, I couldn’t have supplied enough.”
Pei shifted the topic: “Speaking of which, the reduced households are due to the Hu. Originally over 4,000, now just over 2,000. The Hu constantly target Yongning. Sir, this time we cannot let them go!”
Du Liangchuan sighed. He knew even if reported to the emperor, the Hu wouldn’t face punishment or repayment—they were untouchable for now.
After questioning locals, it was clear the taxes and funds had indeed been stolen by the Hu. One person might lie, but an entire county corroborating? Eyewitnesses insisted—they couldn’t fake that.
The only concern left: how to report this to the court without incriminating themselves.
Du Liangchuan didn’t want to linger. Yongning County was poor and ignorant; there was no point negotiating. He wanted to leave. Pei didn’t care either—he hoped Du would leave quickly.
Unfortunately, Du discovered the county’s planned canal project and questioned Pei: “Such a large project must cost much. Why isn’t this reflected in the accounts?”
Zheng secretly glared at Pei—he had warned him not to rush. Now, caught red-handed: funding canal construction but not repaying Yuzhou—how to explain this?
Zheng waited to see how Pei would handle it.
Pei didn’t worry, speaking offhand: “The office funds were used up; now we hire on credit. Planning to borrow from the prefecture office for this work.”
Du Liangchuan and the other officials: “……?”
Wait—what did he just say? This brazen man!
Even Zheng was signaling him to stop—Yuzhou hadn’t been repaid yet!
Originally Pei had thought of using the silver mine, but now that was impossible. He had a better idea: “Sir, canal construction is delicate. The Chaobai River floods every year, affecting not only Yongning, but the entire watershed, including Yuzhou city. Once completed, it could prevent floods, benefiting all. Such a project cannot rely solely on Yongning County. They are in hardship; the prefecture should contribute as well, otherwise it’s unreasonable.”
Du Liangchuan felt overwhelmed: “Yongning still owes money—and now they want to borrow more?”
“Precisely because they owe, they need to borrow. Annual floods leave both citizens and officials without savings. After the canal is built, floods will subside, fisheries may thrive, and everyone can prosper—then the debts can be repaid promptly. Without funding, repayment would be delayed indefinitely.”
Pei smiled shyly: “Sir, we intend to repay—it depends on whether the prefecture will lend a helping hand.”
Borrow once or twice—why not a bit more?
Zheng Xingcheng: Begging on his knees.Pei Zhu: Begging seated, lying down, with one leg crossed!