Chapter 61: The Ruthless Hong Chengchou

Shi Kefa stood tall and steadfast, like a green pine. “My mentor is Zuo Guangdou, known throughout the land as the Iron-Faced Censor.”

Liu Zhongzhou’s expression changed dramatically. He hurried to the front of the hall and bowed deeply.

“So you are Master Zuo’s student—my apologies, my deepest respect. Please forgive my earlier discourtesy, Lord Shi.”

Zuo Guangdou was one of the Six Gentlemen of Donglin. He was persecuted to death for opposing Wei Zhongxian, his integrity renowned across the empire and admired by countless officials. The Donglin faction now basked in great prestige; even if Liu Zhongzhou had the courage of ten men, he wouldn’t dare offend a disciple of Zuo Guangdou.

Factionalism was rife; partisans shielded their own and attacked their enemies. Zuo Guangdou had shed blood and given his life for the Donglin party, leaving a profound legacy. Who would dare bully his students?

Shi Kefa, however, did not wish to rely on borrowed authority. He said calmly, “I wish to observe the proceedings as well, with your permission, Inspector.”

Liu Zhongzhou did not dare voice a single objection. Together with Yan Zibin, he respectfully invited Shi Kefa to be seated.

Composing himself, Liu Zhongzhou fell silent for a moment, then resumed the inquiry.

“Li Yi, since you refuse to confess, the court will now summon witnesses and evidence to confront you.”

He ordered the constables of the Inspection Office forward for questioning. Having long been bribed by the Ai family, they immediately accused Li Yi of demanding bribes, and when refused, of flying into a rage and mistreating them.

Then, the Ai family’s hired men, including Gai Huer, who had been injured, were carried in and described how Li Yi had assaulted them.

There was also testimony from the local doctor, and written records of the injuries—on the surface, the evidence seemed overwhelming and genuine.

“Li Yi, what do you have to say for yourself now?” Liu Zhongzhou fixed Li Yi with a piercing gaze.

“Inspector, I too have some evidence to present.”

Li Yi produced a set of testimonies, raising one sheet. “Here is a statement from a merchant caravan passing through Suijin Town. They attest that the constables frequently extorted bribes and seized goods, and also confirm that yesterday I punished those very constables for extortion, which is why they left disgruntled. If I had truly flown into a rage after failing to extract a bribe, why would I have stopped the constables from extorting others? It simply makes no sense.”

He revealed more testimonies. “These are statements from local villagers. They have witnessed the constables gambling in groups and bullying the common folk on multiple occasions. On the day in question, the constables were gambling and showed me gross disrespect, which is why I punished them. I would ask the assembled officials: what crime is it to gang up and assault an imperial officer?”

Liu Zhongzhou was left speechless.

Shi Kefa swept his gaze over Gai Huer and the others, then barked, “To assault a superior, to attack an officer of the court—such crimes merit execution.”

The word “execution” struck terror into the constables. One of them fell to his knees, stammering, “My lord, let me explain. It was Gai Huer and his men who attacked Inspector Li. We did not lift a hand against him.”

The other constables hastened to agree, loudly proclaiming their innocence.

In an instant, the truth became obvious to all.

Yan Zibin covered his face and shook his head. These fools—one sharp rebuke from Shi Kefa and they lost all composure. How could they possibly frame Li Yi now?

All the prior accusations and scolding now seemed a farce.

Liu Zhongzhou’s face was livid.

Not only had Li Yi shown him no respect, but he had produced evidence that left him utterly speechless, a humiliation that stoked his anger all the more.

Unwilling to let Li Yi off so easily, he gave a cold snort.

“If your subordinates behave unlawfully, you should report the matter to your superior. What right have you to take the law into your own hands?”

Shi Kefa immediately countered, “Inspector, Li Yi acted only in self-defense. How can that be called abuse of authority?”

Liu Zhongzhou forced a hollow smile but persisted relentlessly.

“Though there are hidden circumstances, as an inspector, Li Yi’s methods were brutal—he broke several men’s legs. Such cruelty reveals a violent disposition and a lack of virtue.”

Among the scholar-officials, virtue was paramount. Liu Zhongzhou’s accusation was a grave one, meant to smear Li Yi’s reputation and isolate him from his peers.

“Inspector, I fail to understand your reasoning. You have come from Yulin, enjoying fine food and drink, your face aglow—perhaps you haven’t even had time to review the case files. Yet you presume to condemn me as soon as you arrive? When I present evidence in my defense, I am accused of abusing my authority. Meanwhile, these constables have been gambling and extorting bribes, and now attempt to frame an imperial officer, yet you show no concern.”

“Or perhaps, Inspector, you turn a blind eye for the sole purpose of framing me, determined to see me destroyed? Gai Huer and the others are retainers of the Ai family, a wealthy and influential house. As a censor, responsible for upholding justice and punishing wrongdoing, you now twist right and wrong to shield these powerful retainers—does this not betray the emperor’s trust? Now that the evidence is clear and the constables have confessed, you still attack my character. I ask you, Inspector: when the constables assaulted an officer, I did not report them for punishment, but instead gave them silver to send them on their way. Does that not show leniency? How can it be called a lack of virtue?”

Li Yi argued forcefully, first declaring his innocence, then pointing out Liu Zhongzhou’s abuse of power and protection of the Ai family, his words passionate and direct—he all but called Liu Zhongzhou a corrupt official to his face.

Yan Zibin shrank back in silence, not daring to utter a word. The scene was all too familiar—he himself had once been berated in this very manner, a memory that filled him with shame.

Liu Zhongzhou’s face turned crimson with fury. He jabbed a finger at Li Yi and shouted, “Insolent wretch! How dare you slander this court? I am the Imperial Inspector of Yansui, the purest of the pure—what are you, to show such disrespect?”

The rank of Imperial Inspector might not be high, but the authority was immense.

Shi Kefa hurried to intercede. “Inspector, please calm yourself. Li Yi may have spoken rashly, but he only wished to clarify matters, not to accuse you.”

“No need to defend him, Lord Shi. Today, even if it costs me my position, I will have this impudent fellow detained and investigated.”

Shi Kefa tried to persuade him further, but Liu Zhongzhou cut him off coldly. “Lord Shi, I have tolerated much on account of your mentor, but this is an official investigation—please, do not interfere.”

“If you persist in this course, Inspector, I will memorialize the court and lay the matter bare,” Shi Kefa retorted, trembling with anger.

Liu Zhongzhou was unsettled but, for the sake of his dignity, forced himself to continue.

“Guards, arrest the accused!”

Li Yi raised his voice. “Inspector, the entire trial has been recorded by the clerks. You may detain me, but can you silence public opinion?”

Liu Zhongzhou froze, torn between action and inaction.

Arresting Li Yi was a minor matter; if word spread and his own reputation was ruined, his career as Imperial Inspector would be finished.

He silently blamed Yan Zibin for saddling him with such a troublesome case.

An official must not only blend in but also know when to yield. Confronted with a meticulous and stubborn opponent like Li Yi, and with Shi Kefa backing him, Liu Zhongzhou, however reluctant, decided to relent.

“Ahem. There are too many complexities in this case. It grows late—we will resume proceedings tomorrow.”

With that, Liu Zhongzhou prepared to leave.

“The Shaanxi Grain Transport Commissioner has arrived!”

Hong Chengchou, dressed in official robes and surrounded by his retinue, entered the county yamen.

Yan Zibin quickly rose to pay his respects.

Liu Zhongzhou hesitated, then cupped his hands. “What brings you here, Commissioner Hong?”

Hong Chengchou’s manner was grave, the air of authority unmistakable. He swept his gaze across the hall, stopping at Li Yi.

There was surprise in his eyes, along with a trace of anger, and a hint of helplessness.

Li Yi did not know why Hong Chengchou had come, but seeing the joy on Shi Kefa’s face and recalling that he was absent from his residence the previous day, he guessed that Shi Kefa had gone to seek out Hong Chengchou.

Whatever the case, Shi Kefa had truly helped him without reservation.

Hong Chengchou nodded at Liu Zhongzhou but said nothing.

The Imperial Inspector’s authority was great—beyond the reach of even the Provincial Governor, let alone the Grain Transport Commissioner. Yet Hong Chengchou had earned this lucrative post not only through talent but also through powerful connections at court.

He controlled the tax and grain revenue of Shaanxi, making him a veritable “God of Wealth.” As he now oversaw the supply of funds and provisions to the troops in Mizhi County, his influence was vast.

Any astute official could see that in less than two years, Hong Chengchou would be promoted to provincial governor, becoming a pillar of the state. However lofty Liu Zhongzhou’s reputation, he could not compare.

Thus, Liu Zhongzhou meekly yielded the seat of honor and sat to the side.

Hong Chengchou took the main seat without ceremony. After a brief cough, he spoke at last.

“Though the investigation is the Inspector’s prerogative, as the one responsible for military supplies and transport, my duties are heavy. The Inspection Office is vital to my work, so I came to see for myself.”

In essence: Li Yi is under my protection. If you wish to punish him, you will have to answer to me.

Liu Zhongzhou’s expression changed, and he shot a venomous glare at Yan Zibin.

Yan Zibin shrank in terror. He’d only known that Li Yi had been promoted for valor in killing bandits, not that he owed his post to Hong Chengchou’s patronage.

If he had known, he would never have dared to move against Li Yi.

Liu Zhongzhou hastily said, “Commissioner Hong, there seems to have been some misunderstanding…”

Hong Chengchou cut him off with a wave. “How far has the investigation proceeded?”

Shi Kefa succinctly recounted the events.

Hong Chengchou nodded, then said sternly, “Since there are hidden truths, let us get to the bottom of them. Men, apply the rod.”

Several soldiers, fierce as wolves, surged forward, seizing the constables and pinning them down. They roughly snatched the rods from the yamen runners and began to beat the men mercilessly. The hall filled with agonized screams, like a scene from purgatory.

Yan Zibin shivered in fear.

Liu Zhongzhou’s face was dark, and though he wanted to intervene several times, Hong Chengchou’s cold, steely gaze forced him to remain silent.

In no time at all, one of the constables broke down and confessed.

“Spare us, my lord! I’ll admit everything. It was Gai Huer who ordered us to give false testimony and frame the Inspector. He said the Inspector had offended the Ai family, and the second young master, Ai Wanhua, hated him bitterly. If we helped, we would each be rewarded with ten taels of silver.”

The rest, seeing one of their number confess, soon told the truth as well.

Hong Chengchou remained unmoved. “Have them sign and seal their confessions.”

The clerks rushed forward.

As soon as the confessions were in hand, the soldiers collected them.

Hong Chengchou rose, not sparing Liu Zhongzhou a single glance, and departed straightaway.

Everyone in the hall was left speechless, except for the constables’ piteous cries that still echoed.

Li Yi had now witnessed Hong Chengchou’s methods firsthand.

He had asserted his dominance, taken control, and with ruthless means, left Liu Zhongzhou and Yan Zibin reeling as the critical case files fell into his hands.

Li Yi turned to look at Liu Zhongzhou.

The once triumphant Imperial Inspector now looked ashen, trembling with rage and fear, yet powerless to act.

Yan Zibin approached, about to speak, but Liu Zhongzhou swept his sleeve and left in a huff.

Yan Zibin hurried after him, apologizing all the way.

Shi Kefa came to Li Yi’s side, letting out a long sigh of relief. “Thank goodness Lord Hong intervened in time. Otherwise, the two of us would have been hard-pressed to deal with Liu Zhongzhou.”

Li Yi bowed deeply. “I owe everything to your help, my lord.”

Shi Kefa waved a hand. “It’s true I went to see Lord Hong, but he had yet to promise his support.”

Li Yi was somewhat surprised.

At that moment, Hong Chengchou’s attendant approached. “My lords, my master invites you both.”

Li Yi and Shi Kefa went together to the Hong residence.

In the study, they paid their respects to Hong Chengchou.

Hong Chengchou glared at Li Yi in displeasure and gave a cold snort.