Chapter 6, The Struggle for Credit

Heihei coldly said: "What should be done then?"

After a while, the bamboo curtain of the carriage was slowly lifted, revealing a hand holding a bamboo scroll and the face of a middle-aged man. He wore a cap and a long robe, with two prominent mustaches shaped like arrows on his lips, and his feet were adorned with brocade shoes. He was indeed a cultured and refined official.

He remained impassive, continuously contemplating what to do

The merchant smiled and said: "Since there are three thieves anyway, why not share them with the people in the pavilion? Just say that it was a joint capture, what do you think?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Ying whispered angrily: "You ungrateful and treacherous merchant, we saved you out of kindness, yet you want to take advantage of us. Just now, Brother Heifu risked his life to fight and capture the thief with his own skills. Why should that be shared with others? Don't even think about it!"

He pointed to the three bound thieves beside him and said: "Since this case occurred in this pavilion, it is only right that I conduct the interrogation and escort them. You two are not going to serve in the county town, are you? Hurry along, I will take care of this thief..."

Before leaving home, the honest and straightforward elder brother repeatedly advised him that when out in the world, he must be accommodating in all matters, avoid engaging in verbal disputes with others, and especially must not offend officials of rank.

He then pulled Heifu and Ji Ying aside and said to them: "Gentlemen, one should not be too greedy. The chief of Huyang Pavilion heard of a theft and brought the pavilion's guards and soldiers from afar to seek the thief. Although they have no achievements, they have made efforts. How can we let them make this trip in vain?"

Beneath the pavilion chief, there are also some subordinates, referred to as the seekers of thieves and pavilion soldiers, who are permitted to carry military-standard weapons such as bows, crossbows, halberds, and swords

Huyang Pavilion said coldly: "Hand over the thief to me! You all leave on your own, otherwise..." As he spoke, he raised the wooden tablet and rope in his hand, indicating that he was about to resort to forceful seizure.

After saying this, the heart of the black servant raced with anxiety; he could only hope that he had not misjudged, and that this literate official before him was a good magistrate capable of discerning right from wrong

What should be done? Heifei is caught in a dilemma

Ji Ying replied: "Let the pavilion chief be informed that it was the two of us who worked together to capture him, and we are about to send him to the county town to hand over to the authorities"

Ji Ying felt a bit scared; he turned around to look at Hei Fu, hoping he would offer some advice

He looked down upon the humble status of the two, raised his head and said: "Is this thief truly captured by you?"

Ji Ying also shouted: "That's right, let the pavilion chief be dismissed! Let that merchant accompany us to the county town to testify."

Is this matter for you to decide?

If one truly encounters injustice, the best course of action is to report it to the authorities This is what the elder brother repeatedly advised him, and at this point, the only option left for Heifu is this

Heaton's eyes suddenly lit up

After being spat in the face by Ji Ying, the merchant, who was a good-natured man, could not achieve his goal and had no choice but to retreat in disgrace

Although this Yangting is merely a minor official, he is still an officer. According to the laws of Qin, when a commoner and an official engage in a conflict, regardless of who is right or wrong, they will be held accountable. Once sentenced, it would mean the end of one's life.

Then Hei Fu clasped his fists and said: "It is not far to the county town from here; we can escort ourselves, so there is no need for the pavilion chief to worry."

The head of Huyang Pavilion turned his eyes and instructed someone to bring him his two-foot-long wooden tablet and rope, saying with an air of authority, "As the head of a pavilion, it is my duty to capture thieves."

The "Ting" was a basic administrative unit of the Qin state, primarily established along roadsides, responsible for maintaining public order within a radius of ten li. The "Ting" was overseen by a "Ting Chief," also referred to as a "Ting Steward," who was responsible for patrolling the village, inspecting for violations, and apprehending thieves, akin to the role of a modern-day police station chief

Heifu said: "I, a humble man, was on my way to serve in the county's military. Last night, I stayed overnight at an inn with a gentleman. This morning, I set out with my comrades, and on the road, we encountered bandits who were robbing and killing merchants. We stepped forward to intervene and captured three of the thieves, intending to take them to the county to hand over to the authorities, but unexpectedly..."

Common people are indeed considered to be of a lower status than officials, and there is no way around it. Heifu and Ji Ying had no choice but to hand over their "identity cards" and "introduction letters" for him to inspect once again

He immediately seized an opportunity, forcefully breaking through the encirclement of the thieves and the guards, darting out, and spreading his arms in the middle of the road to stop the carriage

Who is true and who is false, you all escort the suspect and follow this official to the county for a visit, and you will know the truth

Huyang Pavilion's chief merely glanced casually and then sneered: "So it turns out they are just two small soldiers serving in the county, yet they dare to challenge me openly!"

Huyang Pavilion's chief was in a state of great confusion; he recognized the official before him and hurriedly bowed, repeatedly prostrating himself: "The subordinate is merely inquiring as per the usual practice, with no intention of usurping credit or seeking rewards! This soldier Wu is making false accusations!"

With the assistance, the momentum of Huyang Pavilion grew even stronger. He spoke in the tone of interrogating a suspect: "Who are you? Do you have any evidence or testimony?"

Heifei nodded, deeply in agreement

The officials are keenly observant

Heikufu, not caring for decorum, bowed in the middle of the dusty road and shouted loudly: "I, a humble man, have grievances, and I hope the esteemed doctor will take charge!"

The clerk glanced at the black man and slowly asked, "What grievances do you have? Please tell me."

The Qin state's system of heavy rewards led to fierce competition for heads and merits. At home, he often heard his elder brother speak of this. On the battlefield, there were times when comrades would draw their blades against each other just to claim a single head! Not to mention the usual times. This pavilion chief must have his eyes on the three bandits; if he were to yield to them, the substantial reward would slip away!

At that very moment, he saw a horse-drawn carriage slowly approaching on the road. The carriage was painted in a black and red pattern, and it was drawn by two horses, one black and one white. Was it not the carriage of the "doctor" who had stayed with them at the same inn last night?

The pavilion chief, with a stern expression, was about to lose his temper when his short-statured assistant, armed with a bow and arrow, whispered something in his ear. Only then did the chief suppress his anger. After circling around the three thieves, he disdainfully remarked: "Thieves are cunning and skilled in martial arts. Do you really think the two of you can subdue them? I do not believe it"

At this moment, the pavilion chief and others also arrived at the center of the road, and the black servant pointed at him and said: "Who would have thought that the local pavilion chief of Huyang would want to seize the bandits and claim the credit for himself"

The pavilion chief, merchants, and Ji Ying were stunned by this turn of events, and for a moment, they were at a loss for how to respond

In ancient times, upon encountering his peers, Hei Fu felt no joy at all, for he did not sense the slightest goodwill from these "police officers from the precinct." They surrounded Hei Fu and Ji Ying, brandishing their weapons just a few feet away.

Heifu and Ji Ying exchanged glances, astonished by the request of the pavilion chief. Ji Ying quickly leaned towards Heifu's ear and said, "Could it be that this pavilion chief of Huyang wants to take credit for our achievements? You must not agree! If he takes the thieves to the county town by himself, then the more than 20,000 coins will have nothing to do with us!"

The coachman did not expect anyone to block the road, and hurriedly pulled on the reins, causing the carriage to barely stop a few feet in front of the black man. The coachman shouted angrily, "Where did this brat come from, daring to block the way? Do you know whose carriage this is?"

The arrogant demeanor of the pavilion chief at Huyang made the black servant seethe with anger. Whether it was handing over the thief willingly or sharing the credit with the pavilion chief and others, he was unwilling to accept it

In the end, he revealed his identity: "This case falls within my jurisdiction, I am the jail clerk of Anlu County, how delightful!"

Naturally understood

As both parties were locked in a dispute, the doctor in the carriage remained unhurried. With one hand holding a bamboo scroll and the other stroking his mustache, he shifted his gaze back and forth between the black servant and the pavilion chief, also glancing at the others present, as well as the three bandits who were tightly bound. Soon, he formed a plan.

The negotiations having failed, the head of Huyang Pavilion revealed a fierce demeanor. With a wave of his hand, his subordinates, the thieves and pavilion guards, brandished their weapons and advanced menacingly, startling Ji Ying, who exclaimed: "What do you intend to do?"

At the same time, the thief exchanged a glance with the merchant, who was from Huyang Pavilion and was well acquainted with the pavilion chief and the thief, and immediately understood the situation