Section Seven, Wind and Moon

Feng Gui wore a displeased expression; judging by his demeanor, it seemed that the chief clerk had indeed gone to his home to question him. No matter how many excuses Feng Gui could come up with, he would still need the chief clerk's trust to get out of this situation

A group of people then walked towards the Fengyue Building. Gao Sheng said, "We cannot sit at the same table as the hall master; let us wait for him at the teahouse across the street."

Lai Fu hurriedly placed the envelope inside his clothing and said, "I understand, sir."

Gao Sheng turned back to look at Zhang Wen, who took out a ticket and said: "Let him understand clearly, call Feng Gui out."

Zhang Wenxin said: Soon the chief clerk will go to ask the scribe what the county magistrate's people have sent. The scribe took out a piece of white paper; how could the chief clerk trust him? What tricks might they play? Zhang Wenxin was somewhat curious.

Zhang Wen stepped out of the signing room, and several of his followers, including Gao Sheng, followed him, making a commotion. As the group reached the entrance of the inner courtyard, Zhang Wen turned back and said: "You few go change into plain clothes and arrange for an ordinary carriage to wait for me at the door. I intend to go incognito to observe the lives of the common people."

"No, it cannot be. This will cause the meeting to disperse. How could the head clerk be in such a small place?" Feng Gui said anxiously

At this moment, the madam approached, immediately beaming with a smile and said: "Oh, Young Master Feng, you have finally come! Little Hong was just saying that you have forgotten her... This gentleman is quite the handsome and charming figure; he must be a friend of Young Master Feng, right?"

The county magistrate holds the highest authority in Shangyu County, but those below are aware that Zhang Wen has offended higher-ups, leading them to believe that the current magistrate will not remain in office for long. As for the clerks and others in charge, lacking the status of juren or jinshi, they have no hope of further promotion and have long entrenched themselves in the Shangyu County government. They are the local power brokers in Shangyu County, which is why no one dares to disregard them

The madam hurriedly said in a pecking manner, "There is time, there is time, oh, I said this gentleman from mhetushu.com is certainly not an ordinary person"

Zhang Wenda: "No need, let us wait here and ask Feng Gui to change into ordinary clothes and come out"

The woman, her face pale, still forced a smile and said: "Gentlemen, please come in and take a seat; I will bring you the young ladies you desire shortly"

Zhang Wen glanced at Feng Guidao and said, "It's not easy to make a living."

Zhang Wen smiled at the clerk of the criminal court and said: "I now require you to betray the chief clerk, align yourself with me, and expose his crimes of corruption and injustice"

Feng Gui pointed to a gatehouse by the street and said, "How about that place?"

Zhang Wen smiled and said, "Alright, let's stop here for today"

At this moment, Huang Renzhi beside him said: "The clerks have a lot of benefits. According to the rules, newly appointed clerks must pay their predecessors silver to buy their positions. I did not expect that the clerk in Shangyu County would sell his position for as much as one thousand taels."

Feng Gui smiled and said, "Drinking is naturally more interesting when it involves flower wine."

Zhang Wen sat for a while and then called for Lai Fu. Lai Fu hurried over and said, "Master, Master, what instructions do you have for me?"

After the scribe nervously knelt and took his leave, Zhang Wen asked Huang Renzhi again: "Mr. Huang, do you think this method is effective?"

Zhang Wenshun followed Feng Gui's指向 and looked over, seeing a red lantern hanging on the gate tower, bustling with people coming and going. Above, there was a plaque: Fengyue Tower

Feng Gui chuckled and said to Zhang Wen: "Young master, I am going to find my old acquaintance, Miss Xiao Hong. Rest assured, Miss Han Yan will definitely satisfy you"

Oh, I see. Zhang Wen smiled and said, "... since the governor has no relevant decree, let's go."

Zhang Wen also went in to change into ordinary clothes, took some silver, and left the inner courtyard. He then got into the sedan chair, and after leaving the county office, he turned down a street and instructed the bearers to take the sedan chair back first. He asked Gao Sheng, "You know where the clerk of the criminal division lives, right?"

Zhang Wen could not help but ask: "What is a kiln like?"

The clerk anxiously said: "Isn't it giving someone a way out, Your Honor? I was given this position for one thousand taels of silver... If I were to be dismissed, wouldn't that silver go down the drain?"

Zhang Wenda: "In recent years, has the Secretary for Justice issued any decrees prohibiting officials from consorting with prostitutes?"

Before long, the clerk Feng Gui hurriedly ran out, kneeling and saying: "I was unaware of your esteemed presence, and I have failed to welcome you properly. Please, esteemed one, come inside."

If you are dismissed, who will the next buyer give the silver to?" Zhang asked again.

Take this official with you

Zhang Wen asked the clerk of the criminal court, Feng Gui, beside him: "Is there a curfew tonight?"

"Esteemed guest... that young master, shall we go have a drink?" Feng Gui said

The evening in Shangyu County is bustling with activity, with lanterns hanging along the streets, and a throng of people, marking the peak business hours for the shops.

Huang Renzhi said calmly: "How an adult conducts himself in office is not for me to interfere with; you only need to ensure that the money is repaid in full."

Feng Gui silently cursed Zhang Wen in his heart, but at that moment, a strange smile suddenly appeared on his face. Zhang Wen noticed the fleeting expression and thought to himself that it seemed Feng Gui had an idea, which was fine; he would play along, allowing the Shen family to see just how foolish and harmless he could be.

Knock on the door

Zhang Wen took a piece of white paper from the case, placed it in an envelope, sealed it, and said: "Find out where the clerk of the criminal court lives by asking someone you know, and deliver this letter to him."

Then let's go. Just the few of us www.hetushucom.com, don't call me 'Tang Zun' later, otherwise, what else would we call it, a private visit in disguise, huh?

Feng Gui smiled and said, "If Mo Yashi were to catch the flower and willow disease, it would be a sign of radiance on his face, and friends would often write poems to congratulate him."

In that case, will the registrar still suspect Feng Gui of betrayal

A line of five people turned down several alleys and stopped at the entrance of a courtyard. Gao Sheng said, "The esteemed one, Feng Gui (the clerk of the criminal division) lives inside here."

There are several types of brothels. In the capital, there are official brothels, while in the counties, there are entertainment houses. Besides the official courtesans, there are private prostitutes. All of them pay taxes, referred to as "makeup money." Those who pay the makeup money are not breaking the law. However, private prostitutes who operate secretly without paying taxes are committing an offense, similar to illegal establishments. Places like the Fengyuelou are permissible to visit.

I said, why haven't you understood yet? Alright, you are righteous; you don't say that it was the chief clerk who instructed you to do this, but with just one word from me, I can dismiss you. Can he really protect you?

Yes, Your Excellency

Gao Sheng stepped up to grab the door knocker and knocked a few times. The doorman opened the side door and asked, "Who are you..."

Feng Gui glanced at Zhang Wen and smiled, saying: "You need not worry about anything else; just make sure to entertain this esteemed guest well. Be sure to invite a fine young lady... Is that Han Yan available tonight?"

Feng Gui glanced at the woman and said, "We are looking for a girl, not someone like you. Call the madam out."

Isn't this a brothel?" Zhang Wenda asked in astonishment

The clerk realized that he had lost his position, and the county magistrate had greatly benefited from it. He hurriedly pleaded for mercy, saying: "Your Honor, if you truly intend to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, everyone will be dissatisfied, Your Honor..."

Zhang Wen then took out a piece of broken silver and tossed it to Gao Sheng, saying, "Then you can entertain yourselves."

Hehe, you have memorized your book quite well

Zhang Wen turned to the clerk and said: "If I dismiss you and the librarian, the money for the purchase of the missing books in the penal department will likely not be yours. So, who will the money for the purchase go to?"

Little is known

The doorman took a look at the plaque and saw that it was a vermilion ticket written by the county magistrate, stamped with the county seal. He hurriedly said, "Gentlemen, please come inside."

Two individuals entered the courtyard, walked through the entrance hall, passed through the corridor, and then entered a large hall located in the northern part of the courtyard. Inside, it was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers, accompanied by fine wines and vibrant colors. Men and women adorned in silk and satin created an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury.

The matter has gone awry; you must have seen the commotion in the lobby today, right

Feng Guidao: "The Great Ming Code: After the first watch at 3 AM and before the fifth watch at 3 AM the next day, within the city of the prefecture or county, unless for urgent official business, illness, childbirth, or mourning, those who violate this will receive twenty lashes; those who are arrested will receive one hundred strokes. If someone is injured, loses a finger, or suffers an eye injury, the punishment is execution; if someone is killed, the punishment is beheading... However, in our Jiangnan region, the curfew generally starts after the third watch, as business is thriving here."

Zhang Wen smiled and said, "Good, I see you have come to your senses." Drinking together with him further strengthened their bond, at least in the eyes of those around them

The clerk was taken aback and, after a moment of thought, said: "It was my own carelessness that caused the large character to be written as the character for 'dog'; it has nothing to do with the chief registrar."

Before long, the officials and clerks from various departments arrived at the signing room to discuss the documentation work, and Zhang then announced the adjournment of the meeting

Huang Renzhi said slowly and deliberately: "In this situation, it is generally the case that the county magistrate and the chief clerk split the responsibilities. However, at this moment, Lord Zhang and the chief clerk are not in agreement. Ultimately, it is the lord who decides who will serve as the clerk in the criminal office, and the lord can take it all for himself."

This ... ...

Zhang Wen smiled and said, "Isn't visiting a prostitute still a refined affair?"

Gao Sheng received the silver, and a smile appeared on his face as he said, "Thank you, esteemed master, for thinking of us."

Zhang Wen took out a piece of broken silver and handed it to Feng Gui, saying: "Today, as promised, I will treat you. Take this."

Laifu took the letter and said, "I will take care of this right away."

Zhang Wen glanced inside and said, "What? The manager is also here? Invite him to join us; after all, we need to communicate and strengthen our relationship in order to move forward together"

At this moment, the bell rang, and Huang Renzhi clasped his hands and said: "The bell tolls for the hour of You, I take my leave now"

"One thousand taels?" Zhang asked in surprise, "Who did you give it to?"

Former clerk of the criminal court

Zhang Wen pondered over Huang Renzhi's words, naturally grasping the underlying meaning. The scribe would not simply submit, just as he had deliberately jumped into a dilemma, in order to perform authentically without yielding, and he was still joyfully engaging with these buffoons.

The clerk anxiously said: "My lord, please grant me a way to survive. My entire family relies on me to bring back money to buy rice and firewood... My lord..."

"Get up, we are not at the county office, so we don't need to be so formal," Zhang asked with a smile. "This official would like to take a look at the local conditions in Shangyu City this evening. Would you accompany me for a walk and have a meal together?"

As Zhang Wen and Feng Gui had just reached the doorway, a woman heavily coated in makeup approached, swaying her hips. She glanced at Zhang Wen and Feng Gui and said with a smile, "Oh, gentlemen, you both are quite handsome. Would you like some company?"

In the outer city, those who live in hardship often entice several beggar women, secretly establishing brothels, referred to as "kilns." Feng Guidao states, "The skylight in the room is wide open, and small holes are made in the wall facing the roadside. The beggar women beautify themselves, remaining naked within, reciting verses softly, and adopting various lewd postures. Young men from outside, passing by, peek through the small holes, unable to restrain themselves, then knock on the door to enter. The beggar women, naked, present themselves, and those who find them appealing toss in seven coins, then take their hands to the bed, remaining for a while before leaving."

Feng Gui waved his hand and said, "I cannot accept such a thing." Zhang Wen had no choice but to give up.