Chapter 6, The Scholar Meets the Official

Wu Kui's face was still marked with bloodstains. He raised his head and argued, "My lord, it is true that Lin Mufeng is a scholar, but he is also a well-known playboy in this town. He owes me 50 taels of silver, and I have written evidence to prove it. Today, he assaulted someone, and I have witnesses; both of my servants were watching from the side, as well as several of the Lin family's servants."

Lin Shengyuan, the younger brother, is mischievous; do not blame him, do not blame him!" Zhang Dayou smiled awkwardly and stood up to accompany the laughter. In the Ming Dynasty, many people at the age of twelve or thirteen were already married and had children, but Zhang Dayou's brother seemed to never grow up, spending his days in playful antics, which left him at his wit's end. Several times, he considered sending him back to their hometown in Jinling, but he was worried that no one would take care of him, so in the end, he gave up on the idea.

"It's fine, we should be able to meet the deadline," Lin Mufeng nodded.

The inspector Zhang Dayou of Yanshen Town coldly scrutinized Lin Mufeng before him, suddenly slamming the table and shouting: "Bold and unruly commoner, upon seeing this inspector, how dare you not kneel?"

Hehe, thank you for your concern, my lord. Mu Feng believes the issue is not significant. Lin Mu Feng smiled slightly.

"It is of no consequence; the youth is playful, as is his nature. Sir, Mu Feng is taking his leave!" Lin Mu Feng glanced at the unwilling young man Zhang Feng and turned to leave.

Zhang Dayou angrily shouted: "Zhang Feng, be audacious, come out to me!"

"Lin, you are being too modest. As we are both from the same cultured background, it is my duty as the inspector to look after you. I hope that in the future, you will devote yourself solely to studying the classics and avoid mingling with these debauched youths, lest you provoke unnecessary trouble. Otherwise, while I may be able to protect you once, I cannot guarantee your safety for a lifetime. If any further incidents occur, I will certainly handle them impartially." Zhang Dayou smiled and waved his hand, but his tone immediately turned serious, "Moreover, the Wu family in Yidu County is quite wealthy and influential. Wu Kui's uncle is the county magistrate Chen Anliang. If you offend him, you will need to be more cautious in the future."

Zhang Dayou let out a sound and said nothing more

Zhang Dayou's dark face involuntarily flashed with a hint of surprise, and after a long pause, he finally said in a low voice: "You are a scholar?"

It seemed that Zhang Dayou recalled something, hesitating for a moment, and then asked: "Lin Shengyuan, I just remembered that the Lin family's porcelain kiln in the town is an asset of your esteemed household, right? A few days ago, the county magistrate issued an order for the Lin family porcelain kiln to produce a three-foot painted vase for the birthday celebration of Prince Qi. How are you preparing for it?"

Sir, the scholar, due to the sorrow of losing his parents, became confused and strayed onto the wrong path, accumulating a gambling debt of 50 taels of silver to Wu Kui, including both principal and interest, which is indeed the truth. Furthermore, today he came to demand repayment repeatedly, and he even spoke disrespectfully and teased the scholar's wife. In a fit of anger, the scholar pushed him with a punch, which is also indeed the truth. The scholar is aware that his past actions have brought shame upon his teacher's teachings and his parents' upbringing, and he deeply regrets it. He is now willing to offer the deed to 10 mu of land from his family estate to repay the debt owed to Wu Kui. From now on, the scholar will shut himself in to study, reform his ways, and strive to pass the imperial examination as soon as possible to serve the court. He hopes, Sir, that you will show mercy and grant him an opportunity for redemption. Lin Mufeng spoke eloquently, taking out the deed from his bosom, appearing extremely sincere.

A boy of about twelve or thirteen, dressed in a cloth and illustrated book, timidly approached from a corner of the inspection office's main hall. Although he lowered his head, his bright eyes still shot a fierce glare at Lin Mufeng.

"Wu Kui, you have quite the audacity. A scholar is a cultured person who reads; how could he resort to violence?" Zhang Dayou turned his head and shouted sternly, his piercing gaze sweeping over the kneeling Wu Kui

"Returning to the words of the great man, Lin Mufeng, a scholar who passed the imperial examination in the 26th year of the Hongwu era, is known far and wide in Yanshen Town. " A faint smile appeared at the corner of Lin Mufeng's mouth, yet he felt somewhat "brazen" in his heart.

It seemed that Zhang Dayou sensed Lin Mufeng's confusion, as a hint of gloom appeared on his dark face. He spoke softly: "I previously served in the capital, but due to angering the Emperor, I was originally to be exiled three thousand miles away. Thanks to the intercession of a high-ranking official in the court, the Emperor graciously demoted me to the capital, assigning me to this remote town as a minor inspector of the ninth rank. Although I hold a military position, I come from a scholarly background, haha"

Thank you for your reminder, my lord, the scholar is now aware. Lin Mufeng bowed again, secretly frowning in his heart, thinking that the people of ancient times are indeed overly formal; they must bow for even a couple of sentences, which is truly bothersome. At the same time, he found it somewhat strange that the inspector in the Ming Dynasty was a ninth-rank official, under the jurisdiction of the local county, and was considered a relatively low-ranking military officer. How could Zhang Dayou refer to himself as 'of the same scholarly lineage'?

"Ah, the three-foot painted vase, it is said that the firing process is quite challenging. Do you have confidence in it?" Zhang Dayou asked again

Lin Mufeng smiled faintly, bowed slightly, and said: "My lord, according to the regulations of our dynasty, scholars are not required to kneel before the county magistrate!"

It is often said that officials protect one another, and this has been the case since ancient times. In fact, the scholars and literati of ancient times also engaged in mutual protection. Lin Mufeng's composure and sincerity left a very good impression on Zhang Dayou, which is why this case was resolved so straightforwardly. Of course, it is mainly because he was busy with official duties and was unaware of the past "glorious deeds" of the flamboyant young master Lin Mufeng. Had he known that Lin Mufeng's indulgences in drinking, gambling, and other vices had already tarnished his reputation, he likely would not have been so protective of him.

Lin Mufeng suddenly realized, so that is how it is. Although Zhang Dayou did not mention what position he held in the capital, it can be assumed that any official who has access to the emperor must hold a significant position

Zhang Dayou slowly nodded, "Lin Shengyuan speaks with sincerity. A scholar who recognizes his faults and can amend them is truly virtuous. Wu Kui, today Lin Shengyuan has pushed you, which is due to your disrespectful words and teasing behavior towards others, particularly your wife. However, he has voluntarily offered to offset the debt with his property, balancing the merits and demerits, and clearing the grievances. This inspector hereby concludes that this case is resolved, and you may leave now."

"Lin Shengyuan, what do you have to say?"

Lin Mufeng expressed his gratitude with a slight bow to Zhang Dayou, saying in a clear voice: "Thank you, Inspector, for your care. Mufeng is truly grateful!"

Wu Kui reluctantly got up and took the land deed, but the hatred in his glance as he left made Lin Mufeng feel that he would not let this matter rest.

Just as Lin Mufeng was about to say a few more polite words and take his leave, unexpectedly, with a loud "bang," a warm and soft object flew towards him from a corner of the inspection office's hall. Startled, he looked down to see a stinking donkey dung egg "blooming" and scattering, sliding down from his chest, leaving a dark mark on his long gown.