CHAPTER 472: CHAPTER 472: THE GRAND GIFT

Assistant Magistrate Ding’s guess was not wrong, Magistrate Liang indeed had not received any new commands because he was encountering resistance.

This obstacle came from the Magistrates of Linhe Prefecture and Jinling Prefecture.

Magistrate Gong of Linhe Prefecture and Magistrate Tan of Jinling Prefecture, for some unknown reason, completely ignored Magistrate Liang’s proposal for a joint encirclement of the Huai River pirates by the three prefectures.

Magistrate Liang became anxious, personally going to Linhe Prefecture to confront Magistrate Gong and question why he was not cooperating? The result was that Magistrate Gong scolded him in return.

Magistrate Gong berated Magistrate Liang, "Lord Liang, you should know that an inter-prefecture encirclement of river bandits and the mobilization of garrison armies from three prefectures is a major event, one that requires official documents from the Capital to proceed. You, a mere Magistrate, dare to undertake such a grand task. If you are seeking your own demise, that’s fine, but do not implicate this official."

Magistrate Liang said, "The river bandits have committed numerous atrocities, and over the years, have harmed many lives along the banks of the Huai River. Shouldn’t they be eradicated? As for the official documents from the Capital, I have already submitted a petition, and the documents from the Capital will arrive shortly. Magistrate Gong need not worry. Magistrate Gong only needs to notify the Linhe Prefecture garrison army, have them prepared, to ensure that once the documents from the Capital arrive, the Linhe Prefecture garrison army can immediately set out for the Huai River."

Magistrate Gong laughed, "Let’s talk when the documents from the Capital arrive. Before the documents come, this official will not issue any orders."

Magistrate Liang was choked by the response and simply resorted to citing an Imperial Decree issued by the first Emperor of Great Chu, "The former Emperor of Great Chu once decreed that if there is a bandit problem within Chu Territory, the State governments need not wait for official documents from the Capital and should cooperate to eradicate the bandits, to relieve the citizens of this menace."

Magistrate Gong stood up and said, "The former Emperor has been deceased for many years, and now it is the Emperor who rules. I am a subject of the current Emperor and only heed His Majesty’s commands. Let’s wait for the official documents from the Capital."

Seeing Magistrate Gong’s adamant attitude and knowing he would not agree, Magistrate Liang then changed his approach, "If Magistrate Gong is unwilling to help, then could you at least allow the He’an Prefecture garrison army to pass through Linhe Prefecture on their way to the Huai River?"

Magistrate Gong nearly died laughing, pointing at Magistrate Liang, "Magistrate Liang, you have the audacity to say such things, allowing another prefecture’s garrison army to cross the border? Are you trying to incite a rebellion?"

Magistrate Liang countered, "Under Great Chu Criminal Law, in an emergency situation, the garrison army of another prefecture may pass through different States, and any interference by other States will be judged as delaying military operations and punished accordingly!"

Magistrate Gong sneered, "Magistrate Liang, are you trying to lecture this official on Great Chu Criminal Law? Indeed there is such a rule, and eradicating bandits does fall within the scope of an emergency. But how does this official know whether Magistrate Liang is actually going to fight bandits or engage in some nefarious activity?"

Magistrate Gong’s comments were extremely offensive, and Magistrate Liang’s face turned instantly black with anger.

Seeing this, Magistrate Gong added, "How about this, you provide evidence of the crimes committed by the Huai River pirates to the Linhe Prefecture Government Office, this official will then discuss it with several others, as well as General Tang, the garrison commander, and then decide whether to allow He’an Prefecture’s garrison army to pass through."

Magistrate Liang listened with narrowed eyes, always feeling that Magistrate Gong’s many difficulties were extremely unreasonable.

Great Chu has not been established for a hundred years yet, and for the first few decades, there were many conflicts. The government armies of Great Chu often passed through each other’s territories to eradicate the private troops and fortresses left by the former dynasty. Last year and the beginning of this year, when military disasters were severe, the government armies also often needed to pass through to suppress rebellions, and there was never obstruction from any Prefecture.

So why now, did Magistrate Gong have so many excuses not to help?

With no other choice, Magistrate Liang could only let his staff transcribe a copy of the pirates’ crime evidence and submit it to the Linhe Prefecture Government Office.

Afterward, he rushed to Jinling Prefecture to meet with Magistrate Tan.

Magistrate Tan, who could occupy the position of Jinling Prefecture Magistrate was not someone without backing. He was born in the Ru Yang Marquis Mansion of the Capital, a legitimate son of the Marquis Mansion, and after becoming a scholar, his official career was smooth sailing. On his first posting, he became the Magistrate of Linhe Prefecture. Three years later, he was reassigned to Jinling Prefecture, having spent a total of over eight years by the Huai River. Just one more year until next year, and Magistrate Tan would be able to return to the Capital, where there was a great possibility of him entering the cabinet.

Magistrate Tan did not even bother to look at Magistrate Liang, refusing to meet him, simply sending a message to him to take care of himself.

Magistrate Liang was stunned: "What does Magistrate Tan mean by this?"

Magistrate Tan’s staff sneered coldly: "What do I mean? Magistrate Liang, don’t you think you’re overreaching? You are the Magistrate of He’an Prefecture, yet you’re reaching into the affairs of the Huai River. Let me ask you, which noble family or founding nobility does your family belong to, that you dare to be so presumptuous?"

The staff member thought Magistrate Liang was a person tired of living, looking for death.

What about the river bandits? Did the river bandits attack the He’an Prefecture Government Office? They didn’t come knocking, just committed a few crimes; does Magistrate Liang really need to bother?

"The Huai River pirates have been around for many years, and no one has seen any attempts to exterminate them. Magistrate Liang is someone with great ambition, daring to exterminate the Huai River pirates, but Magistrate Liang should know, those with great ambition often die before their dreams are realized."

After finishing his sarcastic remarks, the staff member turned and left, leaving Magistrate Liang alone.

Steward Wu, standing behind Magistrate Liang, advised: "My lord, let’s return to the inn first. Rest at the inn and think of other methods."

Magistrate Liang could only return to the inn.

The next day, he visited the Jinling Prefecture Government Office again but, as before, was turned away dejectedly. He went back to the inn, packed his belongings, and was getting ready to return to He’an Prefecture, when two servants came asking him to be a guest.

Magistrate Liang was puzzled: "Be a guest? Who do you serve? I have no old friends or connections here in Jinling Prefecture."

The two servants were dressed grandly, both wearing valuable brocade robes, and bowed to Magistrate Liang: "You’ll know once Magistrate Liang arrives."

They added: "This visit will be beneficial for Magistrate Liang, we kindly ask you to follow us quickly, so as not to keep our master waiting."

Magistrate Liang suddenly remembered something County Magistrate Xu had mentioned, and immediately understood. He changed into fresh clothes with Steward Wu, and followed the two servants.

They were led to a painted boat outside Jinling Prefecture, where he saw the son of County Magistrate Xu.

Having been acquainted with County Magistrate Xu, who had brought his son to visit Magistrate Liang previously, Magistrate Liang recognized him and hurriedly said: "Young Master Xu, why are you here?"

County Magistrate Xu’s son was a rather honest young man. After paying his respects to Magistrate Liang, he said: "It is Young Master Zheng and Young Master Shangguan who are seeking you."

Magistrate Liang’s eyes lit up; his guess was indeed not wrong.

While speaking, several people emerged from inside the painted boat. Leading them were two handsome men, Zheng Ying and Shangguan Zhuo, followed by Gu Jin’an, Scholar Shang, and Jiang Jiao.

Zheng Ying smiled and said: "Did Magistrate Liang get the cold shoulder? Don’t worry, we have a significant gift to present to Magistrate Liang."

After saying this, he looked towards Shangguan Zhuo.

Shangguan Zhuo took out a box and handed it to Magistrate Liang: "Please have a look, Magistrate Liang."

Magistrate Liang received it, opened it, and his frustrations immediately evaporated, and he burst into laughter: "Indeed a major gift. With this gift, the matter of encircling the bandits is settled."

Magistrate Liang bowed to Zheng Ying and Shangguan Zhuo: "This official thanks the two young masters for their assistance."