I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 211 The Vanished Magistrate Tang! Shen Nian Meets the Duke Yansheng Again
On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, at dawn.

Shen Nian, Shi Qing, a commander of the Imperial Guards, along with more than thirty Imperial Guards and Tang Mingyuan, a local boy who came to deliver a message and was familiar with the situation in Qufu County, headed towards Qufu County in Yanzhou Prefecture, Shandong Province.

This time, Shen Nian was carrying a secret imperial decree and was acting as an imperial envoy.

Even the Shandong governor, Zhao Xian, had to cooperate unconditionally in his investigation of the matter, otherwise it would be dereliction of duty.

Qufu County is about 1,000 li away from the capital.

If Shen Nian and his companions changed horses at every post station and, apart from eating and resting, rode from dawn till dusk, it would take at least four days to reach Qufu County.

If there is continuous heavy rain or extreme heat, the schedule may be further delayed.

Everyone took the official road and headed south.

At each post station, in addition to changing horses and eating and drinking, everyone would take a cold shower and then be forced to rest for an hour at noon, otherwise everyone would suffer from heatstroke.

Even so, everyone was extremely tired.

The boy from the alley, Tang Mingyuan, was tied to his back with a strip of cloth by a member of the Imperial Guard, otherwise he would have been easily thrown off.

These Imperial Guards had experience in frequently going out on urgent missions and could adapt, but Shen Nian and Tang Mingyuan had never experienced such intensity before and were relying entirely on their physical strength and willpower to hold on.

……

The following day at noon, at a post station.

After taking a cold shower, Shen Nian rested by leaning back in her chair while drinking water.

In just a day and a half, his whole body ached, and his buttocks and hips felt like they no longer belonged to him.

At this moment, Shi Qing walked over.

"Scholar Shen, why don't we go ahead first? Please walk slowly, otherwise it would be our fault if you get hurt!"

Shi Qing was a fifth-rank commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, one rank higher than Shen Nian, a fifth-rank lecturer.

As the most trusted person in the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the time, when he went on official business, the local governors and provincial treasurers treated him with great courtesy.

However, in front of Shen Nian, Shi Qing completely regarded himself as a servant and protector.

He was very clear about Shen Nian's status in the eyes of the young Wanli Emperor.

On this official mission, Shen Nian was the chief envoy and he was the deputy envoy. However, the young Wanli Emperor specifically instructed him to obey Shen Nian's orders in everything.

In the past, the Embroidered Uniform Guards accompanied civil officials, both representing imperial power to supervise them.

It appears to be secondary, but in reality, it is primary.

This time, however, it was Shen Nian who represented imperial power, which shows the young Wanli Emperor's trust and high regard for Shen Nian.

Shen Nian thought for a moment and said, "Let a few brothers go ahead first. Once we arrive in Qufu County, we will immediately inquire about the whereabouts of Magistrate Tang and gather intelligence. But we must not alert him. We can go a little slower, but we must also do our best to travel. If we are late, something unexpected may happen!"

"Alright, I'll give the order right away!" Shi Qing turned and left.

After a moment, Shen Nian slowly stood up and said towards the door, "Let's continue on our way!"

……

July 11th, near noon.

After four and a half days, Shen Nian and the others finally arrived in Qufu County.

In the sixth year of Zhengde (1511), a rebellion broke out and burned Qufu County to the ground. Afterwards, Emperor Wuzong of Ming, Zhu Houzhao, ordered the then Shandong governor to build a new city centered on the Confucius Temple.

Today's Qufu is the Qufu County town that was rebuilt more than 60 years ago.

The people of Qufu are very poor.

However, Qufu County was very prosperous because of Kong Shangxian, the 64th generation descendant of Confucius, and Xue Bian, the 7th generation Marquis of Yangwu.

The layout of Qufu County is entirely themed around "honoring Confucius".

The city has four gates: the east gate is called "Bingli" (Upholding Propriety), the west gate is called "Zonglu" (Respecting Lu), the south gate is called "Hongdao" (Promoting the Way), and the north gate is called "Guiren" (Returning to Benevolence).

The city was laid out with the Confucius Temple in the center, surrounded by officials and civilians.

The Confucius Temple covers an area of ​​about 100 acres and is the most luxurious building complex in the city. To the east of the Confucius Temple is the Yansheng Duke's Mansion, which has nine courtyards.

To the west of the Confucius Temple are the county government office and county school, as well as the residence of Xue Bian, the seventh Marquis of Yangwu.

The main street connecting the north and south gates of the county town is called Shengdao Street.

Shops line both sides of the street.

Among them, bookstores and book shops were the most numerous, and they were basically the businesses of the Kong and Xue families.

Even without the land they had annexed, they could still live comfortably and make money through other means by relying on their privileges.

On the street of the Holy Way.

Anyone who dares to shout "Lielei is like a homeless dog" will be beaten to death.

The most distinctive feature of this county is that there are many members of the Kong family, and the Kong family owns many properties. The second most prominent family is the Xue family.

The wealthy people in the county town were mostly related to Kong Shangxian or Xue Bian.

Shen Nian and the others disguised themselves as booksellers, the least likely to be suspected.

After entering the city, they first stayed at an inn called "Yan Hui Inn" near the City God Temple in the southwest of the city.

Shen Nian returned to her room, washed up, and immediately inquired about Tang Xianzu's whereabouts.

"On June 20th, the Qufu County government posted a notice stating that Magistrate Tang was seriously ill and recuperating, and that Xu Liang, the prefect of Yanzhou, and Bai Youlu, the assistant magistrate of Qufu County, would be in charge of the county administration. The notice did not specify where he was recuperating. We secretly went to the back office of the county government, to places where Magistrate Tang might be staying, and to major medical clinics in the county town, but found nothing."

"In addition, on June 17, the ruffians and local tyrants who participated in storming the government office and beating the officials were neither at home nor detained in the county jail. Most of their families stayed at home and even claimed that they had gone out to do business. No one in the county was talking about this matter. In order to avoid alerting them, we did not ask too many questions. Most of the information we got was from overhearing."

"In addition, the land survey is currently proceeding in an orderly manner, and we have not found any problems."

……

An Imperial Guard reported all the information they had gathered from last night until now to Shen Nian and Shi Qing.

Shi Qing frowned slightly.

"Magistrate Tang was beaten and injured, but the injuries were superficial. Such injuries should not be moved. Even if there were no ointments in Qufu County, they could have been obtained from Yanzhou Prefecture instead of taking Magistrate Tang out of Qufu County for treatment. At this moment, Magistrate Tang should be recuperating in the back office of the county government. The fact that the back office is empty indicates a serious problem."

Shen Nian nodded in agreement.

"Right now, finding Magistrate Tang is the most urgent task. Next, you should continue searching inside and outside the county town. In addition to the county town, you should also look outside the county town. Send two more brothers to Yanzhou Prefecture to search. If Magistrate Tang is in Yanzhou Prefecture treating his injuries, there must be some news about him."

"In addition, focus your search on the Duke Yansheng's residence and the Marquis Yangwu's residence, as these two places are very likely hiding people!"

This matter is related to land consolidation.

The Duke Yansheng's Mansion and the Marquis Yangwu's Mansion were the largest merged households in Qufu County.

immediately.

Shen Nian looked at Tang Mingyuan, the boy from the alley, who was standing to the side.

"Mingyuan, find Magistrate Tang in your own way. Remember, you must not let anyone know that you are inquiring about Magistrate Tang's whereabouts."

"Yes!" Tang Mingyuan, the boy from the alley, nodded.

His nickname was Xiangwa because he often ran through the streets and alleys of Qufu County and knew everything about every street and alley.

Shen Nian had everyone investigate secretly to avoid alerting the enemy.

Once someone learns that the imperial court has come to investigate this matter, Shen Nian and the others will be in the open. The mastermind behind the scenes will then constantly interfere with their investigation, and if pushed to the limit, may even kill Tang Xianzu to silence him.

Therefore.

Shen Nian must first find Tang Xianzu to understand the situation before revealing his identity and thoroughly investigating the case.

Shen Nian guessed.

It's highly likely that Tang Xianzu uncovered evidence against certain individuals, leading to his beating and imprisonment. Among those with the capability at the time, Kong Shangxian and Xue Bian are the most likely suspects.

Shen Nian believed that Tang Xianzu must still be alive.

Tang Xianzu was no ordinary county magistrate; he was the top-ranked scholar in the second class of the imperial examination in the fifth year of the Wanli reign and was selected by the court as a probationary official.

If he dies, the local authorities must report to the imperial court immediately; even a day's delay would be a serious crime.

If he is indeed beaten to death by the mob or silenced.

From the prefectural officials of Yanzhou to the provincial officials of Shandong, no one could escape responsibility and all would be severely punished.

The mastermind behind the scenes might only take Tang Xianzu's life when he is forced into a corner.

……

The next day, it was broad daylight.

Shen Nian received news that the Imperial Guards had searched the residences of the Duke of Yansheng and the Marquis of Yangwu at night, but failed to find Tang Xianzu.

Shen Nian couldn't help but find it very strange.

At present, county towns are the best place for Tibetans to live.

If he were to be hidden in the countryside, the local people would easily know about him. They greatly respected and liked Tang Xianzu, and would never allow him to be placed under house arrest.

Near noon.

Shen Nian sat in a private room of a teahouse on Shengdao Street, lost in thought.

Tang Xianzu could not be found, and the more than thirty rioters who participated in the fight and their mastermind (local tyrants) also disappeared without a trace.

Currently, Shen Nian believes that Kong Shangxian should be fine.

Because this Duke Yansheng was born timid.

If he were bold enough, he would never have used the official postal service to sell goods and make money. He used Confucius's name in Shandong. As long as he was shameless and bold enough, he could make a fortune.

As for Xue Bian, Shen Nian didn't know much about him. As a descendant of a military family, he was quite low-key.

But what he was certain of at the moment was that Xu Liang, the prefect of Yanzhou, and Bai Youlu, the county magistrate of Qufu, definitely had problems.

These two were either informants or accomplices.

Just as Shen Nian was feeling helpless, unsure of which direction to look for Tang Xianzu.

Led by a plainclothes imperial guard, Tang Mingyuan, a boy from the alley, came to Shen Nian.

"I...I have news of my husband. He should be imprisoned in Xiehua Tower. Last night, a waiter at Xiehua Tower was drinking with one of my brothers and said that he saw someone who looked like my husband when he went to deliver food. He is being held at Xiehua Tower. Please, Scholar Shen, rescue him quickly!"

The boy from the alley was extremely excited and knelt down directly in front of Shen Nian.

Shen Nian paused for a moment and asked, "What kind of place is Xiehua Tower, and who owns it?"

"It's the best brothel in the county, and the owner is... Marquis Yangwu, Xue Bian!" the alley boy replied.

Shen Nian glanced out the window, then said to Shi Qing, "After midnight tonight, we will investigate the Xiehua Tower. If we find Magistrate Tang, we must rescue him, even if it means using crossbows or muskets!"

“No problem!” Shi Qing said confidently.

Once Tang Xianzu is rescued, the truth will come to light.

Shen Nian thought for a moment and then said, "Also, could you bring the Duke of Yansheng to me without anyone noticing before midnight tonight?"

“No problem, this is something our Embroidered Uniform Guard excels at,” Shi Qing said confidently.

Shen Nian wanted to meet with Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian before rescuing Tang Xianzu because she wanted to extract some information from him.

The majority of people in Qufu County are from the Kong family.

Even if Kong Shangxian was not involved in the imprisonment of Tang Xianzu, he was very likely aware of it, and even knew who the mastermind was.

If he waits until tomorrow, after learning that Tang Xianzu has been rescued, and then speaks with Shen Nian, it's hard to tell whether his words will be human or ghostly.

In addition, if Kong Shangxian has no problems.

Shen Nian planned to settle Tang Xianzu and herself in the Duke of Yansheng's mansion, and then wait for the mastermind behind the scenes to cause trouble.

We are currently in Qufu.

Although he had the secret edict of the young Wanli Emperor and commanded more than thirty Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards), if the prefect of Yanzhou, the vice-prefect, and the commander-in-chief truly wanted Shen Nian and the others dead, they were capable of killing them and then fabricating a reason that they had encountered bandits and rioters.

Some people, knowing that their sins are unforgivable, will go mad. Shen Nian must be wary of this when traveling.

At present, no official or clerk in the entire Yanzhou Prefecture can be trusted.

……

It was close to midnight, in a house that Shen Nian and others had just rented.

Inside the room, the candlelight was bright.

Thirty-five-year-old Duke Yansheng Kong Shangxian was released from the sack, then the rag stuffed in his mouth was pulled out, and the black cloth covering his eyes was removed.

Kong Shangxian trembled all over, but still dared not open his eyes.

"I...I know the rules. If I see your faces, I won't survive!"

"Don't...don't kill me! I...I am the current Duke Yansheng! I...I have money! If you kill me, the entire Kong family of Qufu will not let you go, nor will the imperial court. There will be no place for you in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty! How much money do you want? I...I'll write a letter and...someone will deliver it to you!"

Kong Shangxian thought he had been kidnapped by bandits.

Shen Nian stood up, smiled, patted Kong Shangxian on the shoulder, and said, "Duke Yansheng, it's been a long time!"

Kong Shangxian felt that the voice was very familiar, so he slowly opened his eyes.

"Scholar Shen... Scholar Shen, what are you doing here?" Kong Shangxian was quite surprised.

He will never forget Shen Nian's face.

That year, when he went to the capital, at the Hanlin Academy, Shen Nian gave him a severe scolding, calling him greedy and an unworthy descendant of the Confucius family!
He had been keeping an eye on Shen Nian's career development, wanting to take revenge, but after learning that Shen Nian was about to become a "junior minister", he lost all desire for revenge and only thought that he would never see Shen Nian again in this lifetime.

Unexpectedly, Shen Nian suddenly appeared in Qufu County.

Shen Nian did not answer Kong Shangxian's question, but instead asked, "Duke Yansheng, what happened to Magistrate Tang being beaten, and where is he right now?"

"I...I don't know!"

Shen Nian's face darkened.

“This time, I am investigating this matter on His Majesty’s secret orders. If you conceal or manipulate this matter, I guarantee that you will not be the Duke of Yansheng next year!”

Upon hearing this, Kong Shangxian was immediately frightened.

Shen Nian really does have that ability.

He thought for a moment and said, "I... I only know that Magistrate Tang has a grudge against the Xue family. As long as you find Xue Bian, you will be able to find Magistrate Tang. As for other matters, I really don't know, and I don't want to know!"

Shen Nian believed Kong Shangxian's words and a smile appeared on her face.

"Next, I plan to stay secretly at your residence for a few days with Magistrate Tang. I wonder if the Duke Yansheng would welcome us?"

"Ah? Magistrate Tang has been found?" Kong Shangxian looked at Shen Nian, and seeing that Shen Nian ignored him, he immediately said, "No...no problem, I welcome him! I'm very happy to welcome him!"

……

About half an hour later, inside the courtyard.

Tang Xianzu, whose face was scarred and whose body had become much thinner, met Shen Nian.

Upon seeing Shen Nian, his eyes reddened, and he said with great dejection, "Teacher, I...I'm not clean anymore!"

(End of this chapter)