Chapter 23#
Flattering the Horse (Part Two)#
Prefect Lü said slowly and deliberately: “Yingchen, what’s the matter?”
He was like a sheep that reacted slowly and had a soft temperament. After saying this, he smacked his lips as if he had remembered something: “Oh, you’re talking about the Dongshan Dam overflowing. Half a year has passed, and you still haven’t closed the case.”
The old county magistrate Qi Wuhu was indeed thin; his official robe appeared unusually loose and washed until it was pale, but one could see a frame of hard, bony support holding up this worn garment.
Though advanced in years, he still spoke clearly with a resonant voice: “Your Excellency, last summer’s heavy rainfall caused the Dongshan Dam to overflow, flooding and destroying farmland. Your subordinate has reported this multiple times, and you’ve refused to allocate funds—fine, I managed on my own, purchasing mung beans to improve soil fertility, and finally managed to get some harvest, not ending up empty-handed. But why is the apportioned tax for Jinyuan heavier than last year?”
Prefect Lü said serenely: “Well, well, Yingchen, encouraging farming and sericulture, and collecting taxes are the county magistrate’s duty—no shirking responsibility. This year’s taxes are a bit heavier than in previous years; I have no way around it either. Everyone shares the burden; you can’t favor one over another. I’ve already distributed it evenly, adding a bit to each county…”
Qi Wuhu’s temper was like an explosive coal lump, and he could hardly bear this slow, drawling tone. He fumed: “Jinyuan is a small county of a hundred households, yet it has the same tax increase as Qining, a county of a thousand households. You call this evenly distributed?!”
The county magistrate of Qining, who had been named, pretended not to hear, elegantly lifting his teacup and skimming the tea leaves one by one. Finding it impossible to remove them all, he pursed his lips and took a small sip.
Le Wuya, who had been about to speak, was interrupted and put on an innocent expression.
He leaned forward as if wanting to say something.
Qi Wuhu cut him off bluntly: “Magistrate Wenren, my apologies. This time, let me presume on my seniority. I will apologize properly after the meeting. Please bear with me—I must clarify this matter!”
Le Wuya made a gesture as if hesitating to speak, then looked at Prefect Lü.
Prefect Lü was neither angry nor annoyed, drawing his soft, lilting tone even longer: “Qining has its own difficulties… There are more gentry and landowners there. Their landholdings are large, but they can be tax-exempt. Wanting to collect more from them is also quite difficult… Magistrate Qi, your county still has some land, unlike Mingke’s Nanting County, where arable land is so limited that they have to make up for it with other taxes…”
Qi Wuhu angrily retorted: “Our fields were flooded!”
Prefect Lü said: “The dams in other counties are all fine. Why did Jinyuan County alone have the problem?”
Qi Wuhu’s cheeks flushed red with anger: “Good question! Why don’t you go ask the Mang River why the shoals are shallowest and the current fastest in our Jinyuan County alone?”
“So you see,” Prefect Lü said gently, “I haven’t held you accountable—I’ve been extremely magnanimous. Dams are important, but taxes are also important. Tighten your belt a little—can’t you squeeze it out?”
Le Wuya had once held a high position in the imperial court in his previous life, but he was not unfamiliar with the petty tricks of grassroots officials like “tightening the belt.”
Take the collection of grain, for instance; there were two common tactics: using a big scale and a small measure, and kicking the bushel to spill grain.
The former, as the name suggests, involved using an undersized small measure to weigh the grain handed in by the people, making them hand over more; when submitting it upward, they would use an oversized large measure to weigh it heavier, thus profiting from the difference.
The latter was a common trick used by tax-collecting officials. If the people brought their own containers and handed in a full basket of grain, the officials would kick the basket to fill the gaps, then accuse the people of not handing in enough grain and send them back to make up the shortfall. If the people learned their lesson and didn’t use standard large baskets but instead carried their grain loose and poured it into the government’s containers, the officials would insist on packing the grain down until it was overflowing.
Qi Wuhu ground his teeth: “I feel for these common folks of mine! They’ve been suffering for most of the year!”
Prefect Lü took a hot sip of fragrant tea: “Suffering? Who doesn’t suffer? As the Buddhist saying goes, all sentient beings suffer—we suffer too. Everyone’s used to suffering; a little more won’t hurt.”
He glanced at Le Wuya and said warmly, “Mingke, don’t be shy. Say your piece. I hear you handled that case of yours quite well? Word of praise has reached me.”
Prefect Lü made no mention of how he had previously pressured Wenren Yue to convict Ming Xiangzhao. His eyes when looking at Le Wuya were gentle and earnest, exactly like a kindly elder, directly leaving the fuming Qi Wuhu aside.
Le Wuya smiled faintly.
He knew perfectly well what this Prefect Lü was up to.
He wanted to have Qi Wuhu dismissed from office.
A county failing to collect its taxes was strong evidence of the magistrate’s incompetence.
All Prefect Lü needed to do was submit a memorial, and he could legitimately sweep Qi Wuhu out of Yizhou.
Le Wuya put on a restrained expression and pulled out something: “Your Excellency flatters me. Yesterday, the Imperial Commissioner visited our county and left a personal edict…”
The entire hall was shocked; even Qi Wuhu momentarily forgot his anger.
Prefect Lü’s originally languid demeanor vanished entirely. Before anyone else could react, he swiftly lifted his robe and knelt down.
—The Imperial Commissioner was on a tour on behalf of the Emperor; seeing the edict was like seeing the Commissioner himself.
Under Prefect Lü’s lead, all the officials in the hall knelt down in great reverence.
Le Wuya swept his gaze around, unfurled the edict, and recited: “The matter in Nanting has begun to show results. The evils perpetrated by the Xiaofu Coal Mine should be investigated carefully and thoroughly to ascertain the truth. Wenren Yue is authorized to act as he sees fit in order to bring this matter to the attention of the throne at an early date.”
After Le Wuya put away the edict, he hurriedly helped Prefect Lü up according to protocol: “Your Excellency, this is what it says.”
Prefect Lü had been quite irritated by the unyielding, explosive temper of Qi Wuhu. Turning to see the gentle, water-like Le Wuya, by contrast, he felt even greater fondness, taking his hand and praising him profusely.
Le Wuya smiled and nodded repeatedly, acting obedient.
But Le Wuya knew he was not sincere.
Sure enough, after a few shallow words of praise, Prefect Lü’s tone carried a hint of reproach: “Mingke, when the Imperial Commissioner arrived, you should have informed me.”
Le Wuya said earnestly: “The Imperial Commissioner traveled with a light retinue, disliking ostentation. He visited many prefectures and counties in Yizhou without bothering officials or the people. It was my failure in governance that led to such a major case, causing the Commissioner to make this extra trip. It is my fault, Mingke’s fault.”
Prefect Lü narrowed his eyes: “Oh? Did the Imperial Commissioner speak to you about matters in other prefectures and counties?”
“Yes, he did. I am shallow in talent and knowledge, lacking experience in officialdom. The Commissioner did not despise me for it but taught me to learn more from you, Prefect Lü, about employing people.”
With these soft, gentle words, he flattered Prefect Lü into a beaming smile.
Le Wuya turned to Qi Wuhu, smiling harmlessly: “Magistrate Qi, I was just wondering—do you usually dredge the river channels and prepare in advance for the summer flood season?”
Qi Wuhu was still nursing his anger, itching to grab a teacup and smash that sheep-like head of Prefect Lü. Suddenly hearing this young county magistrate address him, he hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Le Wuya was gambling.
If Qi Wuhu was indeed a good official who cared for the people, and his jurisdiction was located at the rapid section of the Mang River, no matter how impoverished, he would have scraped together some funds in advance to repair the river embankments and clean the channels.
Judging by Qi Wuhu’s reaction, Le Wuya knew he had guessed right.
Le Wuya smiled and turned to Prefect Lü: “Then that must be what the Imperial Commissioner meant about Magistrate Qi.”
“The Imperial Commissioner did not say it directly. He only mentioned that as he traveled through Yizhou, he chatted with the people along the way, and they all praised Your Excellency as wise and good at governing, saying the territory was peaceful and there weren’t many major incidents last year—just a few heavy rainstorms in the summer.”
“It was because of a heavy rainstorm that the body of Chang Xiaohu was washed downstream. Since the rainfall was somewhat related to the case, the Imperial Commissioner asked the people for more details. The people mentioned that the rainstorm caused a dam to overflow, but thanks to Your Excellency’s proper appointment of personnel, advance prevention, and ensuring that a natural disaster did not turn into a man-made calamity. Yizhou is a remote border region; if not for Your Excellency’s strong support and the concerted efforts of your colleagues, such a prosperous scene would never have been possible.”
Le Wuya’s words were sincere, aided by his scholarly, good-natured face. He used a single point to cover the whole, including everyone present, making them all feel comfortably flattered.
Prefect Lü’s face lit up with joy, and he clasped his hands: “The Imperial Commissioner truly sees everything with keen insight!”
The other county magistrates all nodded and smiled, quite proud of themselves.
Le Wuya smiled demurely.
Making everyone happy was already his bread and butter.
After all, look at who he had been flattering in his previous life.
In his elation, Prefect Lü seemed to already see himself earning a “Distinguished” rating in his triennial evaluation.
Joy written all over his face, he showed a genuine hint of kindness: “Mingke, is there anything you need from me?”
Le Wuya lowered his eyes: “Your Excellency, Mingke is lacking in talent. At present, I have no clear leads. May I be permitted to return and consider the matter slowly before reporting back?”
Prefect Lü laughed heartily.
Before coming, he had heard of the flair Wenren Yue displayed in his midnight interrogation and knew that this man acted with considerable method. He had wondered if, after making a name for himself, he would become arrogant due to his talents.
Now it seemed the man had a docile nature.
Whether genuine or feigned, even just this attitude was enough to make people comfortable.
He put on a genial smile: “No rush, no rush! If anything comes up, just come to the prefectural office. With the Imperial Commissioner’s golden words, people, funds, and materials will all be prepared—no mistakes.”
Le Wuya smiled: “Since Your Excellency says so, Mingke will take you at your word. Your Excellency’s tea here is excellent. Mingke would like to beg a favor—might I ask where I can buy some?”
Prefect Lü laughed until his eyes crinkled: “Don’t stand on ceremony.”
He called for the tea steward: “Pack two boxes of my tea and give them to Magistrate Wenren to take with him!”
Prefect Lü was even more satisfied.
Le Wuya asking him for tea might seem like a small matter, but it showed that this man was by no means an aloof, lofty intellectual.
This man was good-looking, knew how to handle things, and was as shrewd as a clever little wife—someone who actively sought to line his own pockets with good things.
Dealing with someone like that was easy.
No other county had major business, so after sitting for a while, the meeting was about to adjourn.
Le Wuya declined Prefect Lü’s invitation to stay for a meal, claiming he needed to return to Nanting to handle the follow-up on the Xiaofu Coal Mine.
As he stood up, Prefect Lü called out to Qi Wuhu: “Yingchen, please stay for a moment.”
…
Half an hour later, Qi Wuhu led a skinny, old horse and set out alone on the official road.
Just as he reached the outskirts of the city, he passed a tea stall, and someone stood up to greet him: “Magistrate Qi, how about a bowl of tea?”
He looked closely—wasn’t that Wenren Yue, smiling with curved brows?
Qi Wuhu hesitated briefly, then actually stopped.
He sat down beside Le Wuya and saw that both coarse tea bowls held clear, sweet, fragrant tea.
When Qi Wuhu spoke, it was still in that hard, blunt tone: “Magistrate Wenren, aren’t you in a hurry to return to Nanting to handle official business?”
Le Wuya smiled sweetly: “I’m waiting for Magistrate Qi’s apology.”
Qi Wuhu: “…”
Le Wuya’s eyes curved as he waved his hand: “Just kidding, just kidding. The Imperial Commissioner has said that things in Nanting are starting to take shape, so there’s no rush on my end. But I wonder if Magistrate Qi has gotten what he wanted?”
Qi Wuhu frowned slightly: “You…”
Le Wuya winked playfully.
Qi Wuhu finally understood.
He looked left and right: “Did the Imperial Commissioner really praise Prefect Lü like that?”
Le Wuya: “What do you think?”
Qi Wuhu sneered: “I thought as much. Which commoner would speak well of Prefect Lü? Only if they were blind.”
That “sincere confession” of Le Wuya’s was actually a way of reminding Prefect Lü that the Imperial Commissioner knew that Qi Wuhu had done real work for the people.
That being the case, Prefect Lü could no longer use the charge of “failure in tax collection” to suppress Qi Wuhu.
Le Wuya slowly savored the fragrant tea in his bowl: “Magistrate Qi, what do you plan to do on your return?”
Qi Wuhu: “Do what?”
Le Wuya spelled it out more clearly: “How much of Jinyuan County’s tax was reduced by Prefect Lü?”
“He said fifty percent.”
“Then you should do something in return.”
“What?”
“Oh dear.” Le Wuya grew a little anxious for him. “Are there any chaste widows or filial sons and grandsons in your county? During last year’s disaster relief, were there any commoners who died in the line of duty?”
Qi Wuhu: “You mean…”
Le Wuya reminded him: “Petition the court to erect an archway. That can reduce taxes.”
Seeing this young, spirited county magistrate, a rare trace of a smile appeared on Qi Wuhu’s gaunt face: “I am well aware of tax matters. I understand what Magistrate Wenren is implying.”
Le Wuya: “Exactly. That way, other counties won’t have anything to criticize, won’t keep hounding you over the tax reduction. Prefect Lü will also bask in reflected glory if he memorializes the court on your behalf, which will help with your tax reduction next year. The people need to recuperate, and the farmland needs to restore its fertility—that’ll take at least a year.”
Qi Wuhu: “Thank you, Magistrate Wenren.”
Le Wuya waved his hand magnanimously.
Qi Wuhu said with meaning: “Magistrate Wenren, you have deep thoughts. Your future is limitless.”
Le Wuya: “I don’t care about that.”
This was the truth.
He had seen enough of both good and bad in his previous life; he truly didn’t care about such things.
Qi Wuhu: “In that case, what are you seeking by speaking up for me?”
Le Wuya: “You’ll find out.”
True to his straightforward nature, Qi Wuhu said bluntly: “If you think I can be of any help to you, you’ve made a mistake. I, Qi Yingchen, come from a humble background like you. I am now fifty-four, old and decrepit. I am not as favored by the Imperial Commissioner as Magistrate Wenren, and truly can’t be of any use to you.”
Le Wuya said gently: “I know that too.”
Seeing that Le Wuya did not wish to explain further, Qi Wuhu stopped probing, drank the tea in his bowl like a bull consuming peonies, and said: “Farewell.”
Watching the old official lead his skinny horse until he disappeared at the other end of the official road, Le Wuya spoke to the air, as if talking to himself.
“I like you.” Le Wuya sipped his clear tea, looking determined. “Sooner or later, I’ll have you, Qi Yingchen, under my command.”
Having said that, Le Wuya seemed to sense something and shifted his gaze slightly.
At that very moment, the tea stall owner boiled a fresh pot of water and lifted the lid.
The rising white steam blurred his observation.
Two travelers stood not far away, one on each side, apparently leaning against a tree to rest.
The one in front of the tree was muttering something in a low voice.
The other, holding a charcoal stick, stood behind the withered tree and quickly sketched a clear, handsome face on a sheet of white cotton paper.
Midway through, he pressed too hard and the charcoal stick broke.
The man reached for his waist.
There hung a flint pouch made of animal hair, a specialty of the Jing tribe.
He pulled out a new charcoal stick, hastily finished the simple portrait of Le Wuya, then quickly picked up a carrying pole with the other person and strode swiftly into the distance.
Author’s Note:
Rebirth, starting from the capital crime of falsely transmitting the Imperial Commissioner’s oral edict.jpg