Chapter 0002: The Rebel

Not long after taking office, a monk from Zhejiang named Yi Nian instigated a rebellion. After much effort, the court managed to quell the insurgents, but soon after, a major incident erupted in the Siming Mountain area. The subsequent emergence of the Zhu San Taizi case further shocked the entire officialdom of Zhejiang. It is said that the Kangxi Emperor, far away in the capital, was extremely furious and issued a decree ordering officials in various regions to apprehend Zhu San Taizi and his associates

"Master Zhou, what do you think about the authenticity of Zhu Yicheng? What if ...?"

Zhejiang has always been a place of flourishing literary culture and a cradle of talent, particularly in Shaoxing Prefecture, where this phenomenon is even more pronounced. However, with an abundance of scholars, the path to officialdom becomes naturally more arduous. The imperial examination system is akin to a thousand troops and horses crossing a single-log bridge, and this is especially true in Zhejiang, a region teeming with talent. Consequently, many scholars, faced with bleak prospects for official positions, have no choice but to pursue an alternative path, which is to serve as assistants or advisors to others, commonly referred to as "shiyé".

Did Li Guoshi not find someone to identify him during the day? Zhu Sanyin has been hiding in Yuyao for decades under an alias, and many people know his family. Those who were brought in to look at him all confirmed that this is indeed Zhu San's grandson, Zhu Yicheng. Moreover, Zhu Yicheng's peculiar attire is quite conspicuous, especially with his hair styled in braids, which seems to be an attempt to feign a shaved head and escape into a monastery to evade responsibility. Furthermore, Zhu Yicheng himself admitted in court that his surname is Zhu. By the way, Your Excellency, do you still remember his nonsensical remarks in court?

"Of course I remember!" Upon hearing Zhou Zhongliang's words, Liu Jun immediately slammed his hand heavily on the table in anger: "This rebel speaks shamelessly, spreading heretical words to confuse the public, and is exceedingly arrogant, daring to assert that our Great Qing will be replaced by his Ming Kingdom! Just this alone is enough to warrant a death sentence by a thousand cuts!"

I know... I know... Being able to serve as a county magistrate, he is certainly a scholar, especially since Liu Jun is a graduate of the highest degree. How could he not be aware of the journey between the county and the prefecture? However, this matter is of great importance; it is a case of imperial significance that must be reported to the heavens. Not to mention Liu Jun, even his superior, Prefect Zhang Chaozong, may not be able to make a decision. It is imperative to urgently inform the Provincial Governor Huang Bingzhong. Moreover, Li Guoshi, the military officer from Yuyao County, only set out at the hour of Shen. According to the timing, it aligns with what Zhou Zhongliang mentioned, and at the very least, there will be a reply by the hour of Chen tomorrow. This is indeed a case of imperial significance that must be reported to the heavens. Not to mention Liu Jun, even his superior, Prefect Zhang Chaozong, may not be able to make a decision. It is imperative to urgently inform the Provincial Governor Huang Bingzhong. Moreover, Li Guoshi, the military officer from Yuyao County, only set out at the hour of Shen. According to the timing, it aligns with what Zhou Zhongliang mentioned, and at the very least, there will be a reply by the hour of Chen tomorrow.

In the backyard of the county office, contrary to what Wang Zhong and his nephew had imagined, at this moment, County Magistrate Liu Jun was sitting across from his assistant Zhou Zhongliang in the study, where candles were still being lit. Liu Jun's face displayed a mix of uncontainable excitement and anxiety, along with an undeniable sense of unease.

Indeed! Zhou Zhongliang clapped his hands together and nodded repeatedly, saying: "There are witnesses, physical evidence, and even his own signed testimony. The evidence is as solid as a mountain. County magistrate, what concerns do you still have?"

As the center of the storm, Zhejiang was thrown into chaos, and as for Yuyao, it was even more so. After thorough investigations, it was discovered that Zhu Santai, who had been using the alias Wei Cheng, had been hiding in Yuyao County for decades and had even managed to escape. When Liu Jun learned this news, he was so shocked that his vision darkened and he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, nearly losing control of himself. To think that such a prominent figure had emerged under his jurisdiction, he, as the local official, could hardly escape blame. His chances of reappointment were certainly bleak, and facing dismissal along with a permanent ban on future appointments was a foregone conclusion.

Indeed, this is a tremendous achievement. Just today... No! It should be said yesterday. Li Guoshi, the military officer of Yuyao County, suddenly came to report in haste, stating that Captain Zheng had captured a suspicious individual in the woods twenty miles outside Yuyao City, who, based on his appearance, is very likely to be He Yicheng, the grandson of the escaped He Cheng.

A few days ago, since receiving the news that Prince Zhu San and his son had returned to the authorities, Liu Jun has been enduring daily torment, fearing that one day he might suddenly be stripped of his position and reduced to a commoner, or even implicated and imprisoned. During these days, Liu Jun's mind has been consumed with thoughts on how to escape this predicament, yet he found himself utterly helpless. However, unexpectedly, a tremendous achievement suddenly fell into his lap.

It is indeed the case... Liu Jun's worried expression finally faded, replaced by an immense sense of relief. Just as Zhou Zhongliang said, the evidence is as solid as a mountain, and even the criminal has confessed. What more could be needed as proof?

In the Qing Dynasty, local officials, from governors and circuit intendants down to prefects and county magistrates, generally employed several clerks to assist them in handling governmental affairs. In terms of prefectures and counties, there were over 1,500 prefectures and counties across the Qing Dynasty, and the vast majority employed clerks. Each prefecture or county typically had a dozen or more clerks at most, and at least two or three at minimum, totaling no less than ten thousand clerks nationwide. If we also include the clerks from the offices of governors, circuit intendants, financial administrations, judicial administrations, and prefectural offices, the number becomes even more substantial. Among these clerks, the most renowned are the clerks from Shaoxing, as the saying goes, "No office can function without a clerk," and the Shaoxing clerks are particularly distinguished, with Zhou Zhongliang being one of this large group.

Unlike Liu Jun, who is filled with excitement yet tinged with unease, and whose anticipation is mixed with anxiety, Zhou Zhongliang is considerably more composed. In his view, the achievement of capturing Zhu Yicheng is already a solid accomplishment. Although the prison in the county office is not as secure as the governor's prison, the key point is that they have not leaked any information. Moreover, both the monk Yinian and the rebels from Siming Mountain have been completely eradicated under the siege of the imperial army. As long as the governor or even the provincial governor responds quickly, safety should not be an issue.

This news filled Liu Jun with immense joy. It is known that He Cheng (Zhu San Taizi) and his family were either captured or committed suicide, yet there were still some who fell into the net. He Yicheng, who had been missing since the incident, was one such catch. It was initially believed that He Yicheng had already fled with his grandfather and father to an unknown location, but who would have thought that traces of him would be found in the outskirts of Yuyao County. At first, Liu Jun was worried that Li Guoshi had arrested the wrong person, but when Li Guoshi confidently assured him that the person captured was indeed He Yicheng, Liu Jun was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly ascended to the court to inquire about the case. It was initially believed that He Yicheng had already fled with his grandfather and father to an unknown location, but who would have thought that traces of him would be found in the outskirts of Yuyao County. At first, Liu Jun was worried that Li Guoshi had arrested the wrong person, but when Li Guoshi confidently assured him that the person captured was indeed He Yicheng, Liu Jun was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly ascended to the court to inquire about the case

Moreover, Zhou Zhongliang had made arrangements; not to mention that he had instructed the jailer Wang Zhong to personally guard the prison cell, even the chief of the torture chamber, Li Erzhuang, and the head of the guards, Zheng, had personnel stationed outside the prison to keep watch. The internal and external defenses were extremely tight, and even if Zhu Yicheng grew wings, he would find it impossible to escape.

Since it got dark, Liu Jun has already asked no less than five or six times, yet Zhou Zhongliang remains completely unperturbed and reassures him: "County magistrate, the road from the county to the prefecture is quite difficult. Even with Li Guoshi riding at full speed, it takes at least six or seven hours for a round trip. I estimate that we should receive a reply by tomorrow morning..."

Isn't Li Guoshi supposed to be back soon?" Liu Jun picked up the already bland tea and took a sip, asking with a restless mind

Although he is aware of the situation, Liu Jun's heart is still in turmoil. He has served as the magistrate of Yuyao County for one term now. As the saying goes, "A clean governor for three years is worth a hundred thousand taels of silver." However, Liu Jun has not experienced a single day of peace since he became the county magistrate of Yuyao, let alone the silver.

Rest assured, County Magistrate, once the sun rises tomorrow and the people from the government arrive, your contributions will be firmly established. Moreover, to put it another way, once you hand over the individuals, any future issues will have nothing to do with you.

"Master Zhou, what about Zhu Yicheng... No! As long as Zhu Yicheng is in Yuyao, my heart will be restless!" Liu Jun clearly understood that capturing Zhu Yicheng would be enough to help him escape his current predicament. If things went well, he might even gain a significant achievement. Once this major case was over, he could make some connections and not only secure his position but possibly even be promoted. However, Zhu Yicheng was not an ordinary person; he was a court-designated criminal. Although he was locked up in prison, the long nights could lead to unforeseen troubles. Liu Jun's greatest hope now was to quickly hand over this hot potato.

Although Zhou Zhongliang reassured Liu Jun, after a while, Liu Jun began to feel anxious and uncertain again

County magistrate, this person certainly cannot be fake! Looking at Liu Jun's expression, which was a mix of excitement and worry, Zhou Zhongliang found it both amusing and frustrating. In his view, the incompetent Liu Jun was merely lucky to hold the position of county magistrate. When it comes to talent and ability, he was far superior. Unfortunately, Zhou Zhongliang was born in Shaoxing, a place renowned for its scholars. Despite his best efforts, he could only achieve the status of a xiucai. Otherwise, with his extensive knowledge and understanding of the officialdom, he could easily have been a prefect, let alone a county magistrate.