Chapter 35: Besieging the County Office

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Meanwhile, at the county office, a crowd of scholars had already blockaded the entrance, and their numbers continued to grow.

These scholars had long been filled with resentment. Now that more and more people were gathering, their courage swelled as well.

They began shouting abuse at the county office.

“He actually ordered the bailiffs to confiscate our books just to stand up for his own son! Zhao Da is unfit to be county magistrate.”

“He treats scholars from humble families as less than human. That dog, Zhao Hongwei, is unworthy of entering the Imperial Academy.”

“That dog Zhao Hongwei has neither talent nor virtue. I suspect he only got into the Imperial Academy because his father pulled strings behind the scenes.”

“May that entire family die a horrible death!”

…

The scholars grew more agitated as they shouted, and their insults became increasingly vile.

Before long, they had cursed Zhao’s ancestors for eighteen generations several times over.

All sorts of utterly confident accusations emerged without end.

According to them, Zhao Hongwei had been peeping at women bathing since he was three, harassing girls at five, bullying men and women alike at ten, and killing without batting an eye by the age of twelve…

As for Zhao Da, in their telling, he was nothing less than a corrupt official who took bribes and oppressed the people. Some even accused him of colluding with foreign powers.

Father and son had already been condemned as men deserving ten thousand deaths.

In the inner courtyard of the county office, Zhao Hongwei listened to the waves of abuse, his face growing colder and darker.

“Young Master Zhao, these impoverished scholars must have been provoked by Chen Fan. That is the only reason they would dare behave so boldly,” Chen Hao hurriedly said.

At this, Zhao Hongwei’s expression turned even colder.

“I naturally will not let Chen Fan off. Confiscating his books was only the opening act. What matters now is how to silence those scholars outside the county office.”

“Vice Director Siye is still in Dongyang County. If he hears these words, my reputation will certainly suffer,” Zhao Hongwei said coldly.

“Isn’t that simple? You only need to…” Chen Hao whispered into Zhao Hongwei’s ear with a sinister smile.

When Chen Hao finished, Zhao Hongwei frowned.

“Will that really work? Could something go wrong?” he asked, looking at Chen Hao.

“Your father is the county magistrate. In Dongyang County, what kind of trouble could these impoverished scholars possibly stir up?” Chen Hao said lightly.

Hearing this, Zhao Hongwei nodded silently. He had always looked down on these poor scholars.

“Hongwei, if those people outside keep shouting like this, both your reputation and mine will be ruined.”

At that moment, Zhao Da hurried over, his face tense.

“Greetings, Magistrate Zhao,” Chen Hao said, quickly stepping forward to salute him.

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But Zhao Da walked straight past him, still in no mood to pay him any attention.

Ignored, Chen Hao could only offer an awkward smile, though a cold glint flashed through his eyes.

“Hongwei, perhaps we should return those books. We cannot let them continue shouting,” Zhao Da said directly as he came before his son.

Zhao Hongwei smiled.

“Father, there is no need to worry. I have already thought of a way to make those impoverished scholars keep quiet.”

A look of surprise appeared on Zhao Da’s face.

“What way?” he immediately asked.

Zhao Hongwei leaned close to his father’s ear and repeated the plan Chen Hao had just suggested.

“No. We absolutely cannot lay hands on scholars. If this matter gets out, losing my position as county magistrate would be the least of my problems.”

“I could even end up in prison.”

Zhao Da waved his hand vehemently in refusal before his son could finish.

Chen Hao’s suggestion was to beat the scholars brutally—until they no longer dared to curse the Zhao family.

“Father, these scholars will only be afraid if we do this. Otherwise, they will continue insulting us in the future,” Zhao Hongwei said coldly.

“No. Absolutely not. Since the founding of Great Xia, no official has dared beat scholars without cause, let alone beat an entire group of them.”

Zhao Da continued to refuse, waving his hand.

“Magistrate Zhao, there is truly no need for concern. As long as we take certain precautions, even if you beat these scholars, they will not dare report it,” Chen Hao said, stepping forward.

Zhao Da looked at him suspiciously.

“Explain yourself.”

“Dongyang County is your domain. The families of the scholars from this county are all here. And if they wish to take the imperial examinations, they still need a recommendation from the county office. Once they are threatened, do you really think they will disregard their families and their own futures?” Chen Hao said with a wicked smile.

Hearing this, Zhao Da nodded silently, though his brows soon furrowed again.

“But some of the scholars outside are not from Dongyang County,” Zhao Da said with a frown.

At this, the smile at the corners of Chen Hao’s mouth deepened.

“That is even simpler. Those scholars from other counties came to Dongyang County to provoke the local scholars. In the end, the two sides came to blows, and Your Honor risked your life to intervene and stop them, preventing serious consequences.”

“Dissatisfied with this, the scholars from outside the county falsely accused you.”

Chen Hao smiled as he spoke.

He had even prepared the excuse for Zhao Da.

A bright light flashed in Zhao Da’s eyes.

“Hahahaha!”

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“Exactly! I risked my life to stop them. Otherwise, someone might have died.”

“Those scholars from outside the county were resentful, so they falsely accused me. The scholars of this county can all testify to that.”

“Not only was I blameless in this matter, I should even be rewarded for my merits.”

Zhao Da suddenly burst into laughter.

“Chen Hao, the old man truly did not misjudge you. Your future is certainly limitless.”

Zhao Da patted Chen Hao on the shoulder.

Chen Hao immediately put on an excited expression.

“Thank you for your praise, Magistrate Zhao. Everything I have achieved today is thanks to your guidance.”

He delivered the flattery with perfect sincerity.

Hearing this, Zhao Da’s smile grew even broader.

“Men! Assemble every bailiff in the county!”

Zhao Da shouted.

Outside, the scholars still knew nothing of Chen Hao and the others’ scheme. Their abuse grew louder and more fervent by the moment.

“Creak…”

Just then, the tightly closed gates of the county office suddenly swung open.

Zhao Da emerged at the head of a menacing group of bailiffs. Each of them carried a wooden club as thick as a wrist.

Seeing this, the scholars immediately understood what Zhao Da intended to do.

Yet they were not afraid in the slightest. Instead, they grew even angrier, for they simply did not believe Zhao Da would truly dare attack them.

At most, he was only trying to frighten them.

“Magistrate Zhao, have you realized you are in the wrong and decided to attack us?”

“We will never submit to your tyranny. If you have the courage, beat us to death!”

“Go on, then! Hit us!”

…

The scholars sneered and provoked him one after another.

At their words, a cold smile appeared at the corners of Zhao Da’s mouth.

“These men are begging to die. Beat them mercilessly!”

At his command, the bailiffs immediately raised their wooden clubs and charged at the scholars with savage expressions.

The scholars panicked at once. None of them had imagined that Zhao Da would truly dare to attack.

When had scholars ever witnessed such a scene? Several of the more timid ones were so terrified that they wet themselves.

“Stop! Stop at once!”

Just as the bailiffs were about to strike the scholars, a solemn, authoritative voice rang out.