Blackmail

In the Gusu Prefecture, after the court session ended, Prefect Gusu Zhang Shun returned to the back room with the confession in his hand. He slammed the confession onto the table, sat down in a chair, and looked extremely displeased.

The clerk Shi Maodian, who followed him in, stroked his beard and pondered before speaking, "This woman wouldn't come to turn herself in for no reason, especially not the wife of the Marquis of Suiping's Residence. Unless she's tired of living. She has sons and grandsons. There must be someone behind this. Either they bribed her, or they threatened her sons and grandsons' lives to force her to come. It's most likely the latter."

He sat down next to Zhang Shun and poured him a cup of tea. "So, sir, don't worry, just wait for someone to come to your door."

Zhang Shun downed his tea in one gulp, shook his head, and sighed, "That's not what bothers me; it's being dragged into this for no reason."

Shi Maodian nodded and sighed, "Who can argue with that?"

The shady dealings within the grand mansion were countless. Few would normally report them to the authorities, as people value their reputation. But this man went directly to the yamen (government office) and revealed a shady affair that had been hidden for fourteen years.

The matter is also related to the Marquis of Suiping's Residence in the capital.

Zhang Shun passed the imperial examination sixteen years ago. Although his family was wealthy and held some minor power, he had little contact with the elite circles in the capital.

The most troublesome cases for these officials were those involving nobles and powerful families. Some of these people wielded considerable power, while others held titles but lacked real authority. Even those without real power had intricate and complex networks of connections, and it was impossible to know which high-ranking official in the capital or even their direct superior was related to them. If you angered them, you wouldn't even know how you lost your official position.

"Regardless of who is behind this, since it involves nobles, you must be extremely cautious in handling the case. It's better to delay than to make a hasty decision," Shi Maodian advised.

Zhang Shun nodded. "That's the only way. Once the person behind this shows up, I'll write a letter to my mentor in the capital to find out what's going on, and then we'll decide what to do."

He sighed deeply, "What I fear most is that the person behind this has made a move that won't allow us to delay."

With that, he stood up, went to a side room to change into civilian clothes, and waved his hand, saying, "Let's go. Let's see who's behind this whole thing."

Shi Maodian knew that if they didn't leave the yamen, the person behind them wouldn't be able to find them; only when they went out would they find out who that person was.

Instead of playing guessing games here, we should go out and meet that person.

The two men gave a few instructions, then led two guards and a servant out of the yamen and wandered aimlessly through the streets.

Sure enough, before half a cup of tea had been brewed, a servant stepped forward and said to Zhang Shun, "Is this Lord Zhang? My master invites you to the teahouse up ahead for a chat."

"Who is your grandfather?" Zhang Shun asked.

The man didn't speak, but instead handed Zhang Shun a note.

Zhang Shun unfolded it and saw the six characters "Zhu Heyu, Earl of Lin'an" written on it.

The man, worried that Zhang Shun might not know his master, chuckled and said, "My master works in the Ministry of Personnel; I suppose you've heard of him, sir?"

Zhang Shun nodded.

If Zhu Heyu were merely a minor official, he might not have known; but since Zhu Heyu held a position in the Ministry of Personnel, it was impossible for him not to know. The appointment, promotion, demotion, and evaluation of local officials were all in the hands of the officials in the Ministry of Personnel.

It is a rule that officials in the capital are one rank higher than local officials, especially in the Ministry of Ministry of Personnel, which holds the official hat. Although Zhu Heyu was only a Principal Fifth Rank official, someone like Zhang Shun, Principal Fourth Rank prefect serving outside the capital, probably couldn't curry favor with Zhu Heyu without connections.

Knowing that the person behind it was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel, Zhang Shun felt even more bitter. But no matter how difficult the matter was, he had to go and have his say in it.

"Please lead the way," Zhang Shun said to the man.

Shi Maodian had been serving as Zhang Shun's advisor ever since Zhang Shun became an official, and the two had always worked together very well.

He ignored the man and said to Zhang Shun, "Sir, I haven't finished writing that urgent document yet. You go have some tea, I'm going back to the yamen to finish this official business."

"Alright, you can go ahead." Zhang Shun nodded, then turned to the man and said, "Please."

The man seemed unconcerned and led Zhang Shun to the teahouse in front.

Shi Maodian then strolled back to the yamen alone.

Nothing unusual happened until he entered the government office, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

In the past, if someone of unknown identity invited him like this, Shi Maodian would go, but after learning the other person's identity, he would find an excuse to leave instead of going to the meeting with Zhang Shun. Behind them, besides the two guards and servants who were clearly visible, there were two more guards disguised as passersby hiding nearby.

Just now on the street, with people coming and going, Zhang Shun was still a local official, and many people recognized him. Shi Maodian said he wouldn't go, and the other party couldn't possibly kidnap him to go with them.

So if he stayed outside, he could take measures to rescue Zhang Shun if he failed to return on time or if something went wrong; instead of going with him and being captured without anyone to warn him.

If he were to be quietly kidnapped after Zhang Shun left, the two hidden guards would pass the message to anyone who could rescue Zhang Shun.

Although it's a bright, clear day, and no one would be so audacious as to kidnap a high-ranking official, it's always good to be cautious, especially after the incident where a certain prefect was lured and murdered.

Back at the yamen, Shi Maodian sent soldiers to disguise themselves and guard the front and back doors of the restaurant. He also kept sending yamen runners and guards to investigate, sending them to deliver messages every now and then, fearing that something had happened to Zhang Shun.

Zhang Shun didn't keep Shi Maodian worried for long. After only the time it takes to eat a meal, he came out of the teahouse, but instead of returning to the front office, he sent someone to inform Shi Maodian and went straight home.

Upon receiving the message, Shi Maodian hurriedly went to the back office of the prefectural government.

"My lord, how is it?" Shi Maodian asked as soon as he entered. He saw Zhang Shun holding a wine cup, pouring wine into his mouth, with two snacks on the table to go with the wine.

Shi Maodian knew that Zhang Shun was in trouble.

His father-in-law would never drink alone unless he was facing a difficult decision.

Shi Maodian's heart sank. He picked up the wine pot, poured a cup of wine into Zhang Shun's empty wine cup, and poured one for himself as well.

"Lord Zhu has come to plead with me on behalf of the Marquis of Suiping, requesting that I submit the case file to the Court of Judicial Review." He raised his eyes to look at Shi Maodian. "Not long ago, the Marquis of Suiping's Residence and the daughter of a scholar from Little Banyan Village in Beining County were switched at birth."

Shi Maodian frowned.

The midwife said that years ago, she delivered babies for the Marquis of Suiping's Residence's wife and second wife. At the second wife's behest, one of her twin boys was switched with the first wife's baby girl. Feeling deeply guilty and remorseful, she came to turn herself in.