Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 246 The other party rejected your moral blackmail! [Seeking monthly votes]

Inside the Provincial Administration Office, Pan Wenmao was feigning to direct his subordinates in searching Chen Qianxiang when he suddenly saw a trusted subordinate hurrying in from outside. His brow furrowed deeply.

"What happened? Has Zhang Biao caused trouble again?!"

"My lord! This is more than just new trouble! He's practically uprooting our Wuchang officialdom!"

The trusted subordinate spoke indignantly, and then reported Zhang Biao's new movements at the Four Seasons Inn to Pan Wenmao in great detail.

When Pan Wenmao heard his trusted subordinate say that the people he sent not only failed to spend Zhang Biao's money, but were also eager to provide clues, he was stunned at first, then trembled with anger and almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Useless! A bunch of ungrateful wretches! Foolish fools who betray their principles for personal gain!"

Pan Wenmao flew into a rage, smashing the valuable porcelain in the yamen to pieces: "Three thousand taels? A hereditary marquisate? Who would believe Zhang Biao's empty words?!"

"Old Master, please calm down!"

The clerk quickly dismissed the others in the yamen, then said with a bitter face, "Zhang Biao's offer is too high... high enough to make someone take a risk!"

“Those people below, who are usually exploited and oppressed, have long harbored resentment. Now that they have the opportunity to get money, be exonerated, and turn their lives around, it’s inevitable that they will be tempted!”

"Tempted? I'll make them do it!"

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Pan Wenmao's eyes:
"Go! Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! Find out who these traitors are who dared to speak out of turn! If you find one, punish them severely! Make an example of them to warn a hundred!"

"No! You absolutely mustn't, Master! If you act now, wouldn't that confirm that you have a problem?!"

"Then what do you think we should do?!"

Pan Wenmao roared impatiently.

He was so enraged by Zhang Biao that he came up with that foolish move.

However, after being reminded by the advisor, he immediately realized what was going on.

But then the clerk said thoughtfully:
"Since Huang, the Provincial Judge, had previously cooperated with Zhang Biao and was persuaded by Zhang Biao to agree to cooperate, why don't we invite Huang, the Provincial Judge, and Wang, the Vice Commissioner, to come and discuss this?"

"Anyway, we're all in the same boat. They can't possibly be unaware of Zhang Biao's movements at the Four Seasons Inn!"

Upon hearing this, Pan Wenmao thought about it and felt it made a lot of sense.

"Yes! You're right. We can't leave you to bear this alone. Quickly go and invite Judge Huang and Vice Commissioner Wang!"

"Yes!"

The trusted subordinate responded and was about to turn and leave.

Suddenly, Pan Wenmao added, "Also! Tell Chief Clerk Zhou about this! Don't say anything else!"

"Master Dong is wise!"

After watching his trusted subordinate leave, the advisor quickly offered a compliment to Pan Wenmao.

Pan Wenmao snorted coldly and said noncommittally:

"That Zhang Biao deserves to die! Why didn't those people kill him in the mountains and bring us this trouble?!"

"It is said that he possesses extremely powerful firearms..."

"Hmph! No matter how powerful you are, you only have one life!"

Before long, Huang Yan and Wang Tong were invited into the secret signing room of the Provincial Administration Commission.

"My lords, Zhang Biao is determined to make trouble for us!"

Pan Wenmao spoke first:

"If we don't find out what he wants, he'll probably stay in Wuchang and turn the place upside down!"

“Take a look…”

As he spoke, he picked up the latest notice board copied by his trusted subordinate and said through gritted teeth:
"Three thousand taels of silver? A hereditary marquisate? The Imperial Academy? No investigation into past transgressions? Transfer from Huguang?"

"He's not investigating a case, he's demolishing the whole building! He's trying to uproot our entire officialdom in Huguang!"

Huang Yan, who had been quite composed, now had a terribly gloomy expression.

He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, but his slightly trembling fingertips betrayed the turmoil within him.

"I admit... I underestimated this guy!"

Huang Yan's voice was slightly hoarse: "I thought this guy made such a commotion to protect himself. I didn't expect him to come up with so many unexpected tricks!"

"Three thousand taels of silver, a hereditary marquisate... This is a price that would make any low-ranking clerk, or even a mid-to-lower-level official, take the risk!"

"boom--!"

Wang Tong slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups bounce. The burly military officer's eyes were now bloodshot.

"Damn it! That Zhang bastard is too ruthless!"

"He's trying to incite our men to rebel! Old Pan, Old Huang, we can't wait any longer! We have to kill him right now! Otherwise, he'll ruin us all!"

"Kill him? How?"

Pan Wenmao suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot:
"He is now the 'respected' Zhang Qingtian by all the people! If we send troops to kill him, then we will be traitors who oppose the court and suppress good people! The emperor will then have a perfect excuse to kill us all!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence, with only the heavy breathing of the three people.

After a long silence, Huang Yan slowly spoke, his eyes gleaming with the wisdom honed through years of experience in officialdom:
"A direct confrontation won't work, and the strategy of attrition has also failed... It seems we need to try a different approach."

Pan Wenmao and Wang Tong immediately looked at him.

Huang Yan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his tone icy: "Zhang Biao's move, though seemingly clever, actually exposed his weakness."

"Oh? What weakness?" Pan Wenmao asked eagerly.

"He's putting himself on too high a pedestal!"

Huang Yan sneered, "'Zhang Qingtian'? Ha, what a boastful tone!"

"Since he has erected this memorial arch, he must be bound by it!"

"We can use 'righteousness' and 'public opinion' to turn the tables on him!"

"How to deal with it?"

Wang Tong was puzzled.

"That's right!"

Pan Wenmao instantly understood, and a sinister glint rekindled in his eyes:
"Your Excellency Huang is truly insightful! Doesn't Zhang Biao like to stand up for the people? Doesn't he claim to be an upright official?"

"Alright! We'll use the names of 'the people' and 'the upright official' to create difficulties for him and put him in a very difficult position!"

Upon hearing this, the three high-ranking officials, who had cultivated deep roots in the officialdom of Huguang for many years and already had an unspoken understanding, quickly reached a consensus.

Pan Wenmao lowered his voice and began to make arrangements:
"Isn't he rich? Doesn't he want to win people over? Let's let him win them over to his heart's content!"

"Immediately bring to us those old officials who are absolutely reliable and whose families are under our control!"

"I want the kind of person who's best at crying poverty, best at playing the victim, and best at using 'righteousness' to pressure people!"

A sinister sneer appeared on Pan Wenmao's face:

"Send them to the Four Seasons Inn, and don't give them any nonsense clues! Just tell them to 'plead for the people'!"

"Go and complain that the irrigation canals outside Wuchang City have been in disrepair for years, and tens of thousands of acres of fertile land are about to suffer a complete crop failure!"

“Go and complain that the river embankment needs to be reinforced, otherwise hundreds of thousands of people will become fish and turtles when the flood season arrives!”

"Go and lament that the widowed and orphaned in the city have no one to care for them, and that a tragedy may occur as winter approaches!"

"Go and complain that the rations and pay of the garrison soldiers have been embezzled at every level, and that their sons look pale and sickly!"

"In short, bring all the backlogged, difficult, and expensive livelihood problems in Hubei and Hunan to him!"

"Isn't he a 'righteous official'? Isn't he an imperial envoy? Doesn't he have money to offer a reward? Then let him solve this!"

"Make him take out several thousand or tens of thousands of taels of silver to repair the canal, reinforce the dikes, support orphans, and supplement the military pay!"

"I bet his meager imperial envoy allowance could fill several holes!"

Huang Yan added, his tone laced with calculated malice:
"Not only that, but we also want our people to make these things sound incredibly tragic in front of all the onlookers, so that they can place all their hopes for solving the problem on him, 'Zhang Qingtian'!"

"If he doesn't care, or can't care, then he's just standing by and watching someone die, and he's all talk and no action!"

"His previous reputation as an upright official will collapse in an instant!"

"If he dares to interfere... Hmph, Hubei and Hunan are such a big place, with so many messes, he'll be exhausted and brought down!"

"Let him get bogged down in these quagmires and have no time to investigate the arms case!"

"Wonderful! So wonderful!"

Wang Tong clapped his hands and grinned maliciously: "This is what you call giving someone a taste of their own medicine!"

"He uses the will of the people to pressure us, so we'll use the same will of the people to pressure him! Let's see who gives in first!"

With the plan settled, the three immediately took action.

Pan Wenmao personally selected five or six loyal old officials who had followed him for many years, whose families were under his control, and who were extremely good at performing. He gave them detailed instructions and personal guidance.

Huang Yan was responsible for providing details of some real, but indeed thorny, and difficult-to-solve livelihood problems to increase persuasiveness.

Wang Tong also found two old officers who were quite prestigious at the bottom of the garrison and who were also being held accountable, and asked them to complain about the 'suffering' of the military households.

Even more remarkable was Zhou Wenyuan.

Upon learning the news, he immediately offered a brilliant, unanimous suggestion, which amazed Pan Wenmao and his two companions.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Four Seasons Inn.

Although Zhang Biao ordered a new sign to be put up, not a single person came forward to provide clues or evidence.

It's not that they weren't interested in the rewards on the sign, but rather that none of them dared to be the first to try something new.

Zhang Biao was perfectly aware of this mentality.

After all, the corruption in Wuchang's officialdom had been going on for quite some time.

At this moment, Old Zhao, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, looked at Zhang Biao with a face full of doubt and said:

"My lord, I don't quite understand. Since Provincial Judge Huang has already agreed to 'cooperate' with you, why not go directly to Wuchangwei to investigate that commander named Zhao Meng, instead of creating a scene here?"

Zhang Biao slowly picked up a cup of tea, took a small sip, and then said calmly:

"That night, when Vice Commissioner Song went to see Zhao Meng, he already alerted the enemy. What can we find out if we investigate Zhao Meng again?"

"But haven't we already deduced that the evidence is under the stone lion in the armory?"

On the other side, Cao Ji, a member of the Imperial Guard, couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Why not just go there and get it directly?"

"There are only three of us. Are you sure getting evidence is a good thing?" Zhang Biao asked with amusement.

"This"

The two Imperial Guards looked at each other, but couldn't help but express their concerns.

"But sir, even if we don't go to get the evidence, it's still very dangerous. They will definitely not let this go!"

"That's right, this place is surrounded by wolves; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a dragon's den or a tiger's lair!"

"Ah!"

Zhang Biao smiled, then slowly put down his teacup, stood up from his seat, and paced back and forth:

"I investigate cases not only to find the mastermind behind them, but also to use the investigation to do things I want to do."

"In other words, whether it's Wuchang City, Yingtian Prefecture, or other fiefdoms of vassal kings, as long as I find useful clues, I will use them as an excuse to make a big deal out of it!"

“I did the same thing back when I was ‘demanding back pay’.”

"The results achieved did not disappoint."

"The system of official salaries has been discussed, Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude toward weakening the power of the princes has changed, the 'abolition of Confucianism' is being discussed in secret, and many other chain events are happening."

"What does this show? It shows that anything is possible!"

Zhang Biao turned to look at the two Imperial Guards, and said with a half-smile:

"Although we are few in number and weak in strength, as long as we are willing to use our brains, there is nothing we cannot accomplish!" "Even the stubborn Hongwu Emperor, even if we touch the interests of the powerful, even if we are in the lion's den."

Having said that, he walked to the second-floor window and looked down, a cold smile curving his lips.

"See? In this world, the most unpredictable thing is the human heart, and the easiest thing to buy is also the human heart."

"Pan Wenmao wants to use sheer numbers against me? He's probably forgotten that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it!"

"It's uncertain who he might drown with these 'waters' he's sent!"

"So, should we just wait now? Wait for one of them to finally snap out of it?" Old Zhao pondered.

Zhang Biao glanced at him and smiled wryly:
"You've been with me for so long, don't you understand my personality? When have I ever waited for anyone?"

"What does Your Excellency mean?"

"Go and move a few tables, stack them up, and set up a 'platform for political consultation.' I'm about to unleash my ultimate weapon!"

"A platform for public consultation?"

The two Imperial Guards looked at each other, completely bewildered.

But Zhang Biao had no intention of wasting any more words and immediately ordered, "I need to see the platform within half a quarter of an hour. Get to it immediately!"

"Yes!"

Knowing Zhang Biao's decisive attitude, the two Imperial Guards dared not hesitate any longer and immediately ran downstairs.

Soon, with the help of the innkeeper's staff, they set up the stage.

"Dear fellow citizens of Wuchang! My friends!"

Zhang Biao walked to the stage, picked up a makeshift megaphone made of rolled-up paper, and began his shocking opening remarks, speaking in a tone just like a modern live broadcast host.

"I am Zhang Biao! The head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, personally appointed by the Emperor, a walking imperial envoy, known in the martial arts world as... uh, that's not important!"

"The important thing is that today! Here! I, the official, will uphold justice for everyone!"

"The rules are simple: If you have a grievance, come up and speak!"

"The situation is true. The reward on the notice board will be paid out on the spot! We are honest and fair!"

"I am your 'Upright Judge'! This Four Seasons Inn is the venue for our 'Brother Biao Has Something to Say' political debate!"

The crowd below erupted in laughter and cheers; this imperial envoy was just right.

In just a short while, the area in front of the Four Seasons Inn was bustling with people. The aroma of braised pig's head meat mingled with the sweaty smell of the marketplace, creating a strange yet vibrant atmosphere.

Zhang Biao sat high on the "questioning platform," seemingly casual and unrestrained, but his eyes, like those of a hawk, swept across every face below the platform, capturing subtle emotional fluctuations.

He knew that this seemingly absurd farce was the sharpest knife to tear open the iron curtain over Wuchang.

"Your Honorable Judge!"

The first 'guest' came on stage; she was a woman who was crying and sobbing.

"This humble woman wants to sue Wang the butcher in the West Market!"

"He...he injects water into the pork he sells! Last time I bought half a pound, and after cooking it, all that was left was a pot of soup!"

"I can't live like this anymore!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Biao's expression immediately turned serious, and he turned to Old Zhao, saying:
"Remember this! Food safety is of paramount importance!"

"Butcher Wang is suspected of commercial fraud, harming consumer rights... uh, harming the interests of ordinary people!"

"After verification, he was fined ten times the amount for the counterfeit goods and given the lady five pounds of fresh pork..."

"Furthermore, as punishment, he shall provide me with pig's head meat free of charge for ten days!"

"it is good!"

The applause of the audience was thunderous.

The woman received the reward and burst into laughter through her tears.

"Please, sir, do justice for the students!"

The second person to go on stage was a young man who looked like a scholar.

But then he said indignantly, "The student will sue the county school instructor!"

"His exam questions favored the rich kids, with questions like 'Discussing Rare Treasures from Abroad,' which we poor students have never even seen. How are we supposed to answer? This is unfair!"

"Yes, educational equity is the foundation of a nation!"

Zhang Biao nodded, then stroked his chin and said, "The instructor's questions are out of touch with reality and are suspected of discriminating against those from poor families!"

"Make a note of that! I suggest he set a topic for next time: 'Eighteen ways to cook pig's head meat,' and I guarantee everyone will have something to say!"

"Hahaha!"

The audience burst into laughter.

The scholar couldn't help but chuckle, and took the reward as he left.

"Zhang Qingtian!"

The third one was an old craftsman.

But he stubbornly insisted, "Sir, I am a carpenter, and my skills are beyond reproach!"

"But the government's repair work for the yamen is never our turn; it's always taken up by the relatives of those workshop clerks! Please, Your Honor, investigate this matter!"

"monopoly!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Biao slammed his hand on the table, nearly knocking the pig's head off: "This is a classic case of rent-seeking, undermining the fair competition environment in the market!"

"Make a note of this! Investigate that clerk! Make him understand that connections are no match for skill!"

"Your Excellency is wise!"

"Long live Zhang Qingtian!"

With the first three people setting an example and Zhang Biao's 'appropriate' handling of the situation, the scene became increasingly heated.

The appeals for justice also started with trivial matters and began to touch on some substantive issues.

Although it remains absurd, it reflects the real corruption in officialdom.

What's even more amazing is that Zhang Biao not only "solved the case," but also organized "live broadcasts" and "expert commentary."

When someone complained about the inefficiency of the yamen runners, Zhang Biao shouted directly at the crowd:
"Any brothers working in the government office? Come out and tell me about your difficulties?"

"Don't worry, you'll get pork head meat even if you speak on stage!"

There was indeed a bold junior yamen runner who was pushed forward by his companion. He blushed and complained about his low salary and the embezzlement by his superiors.

After listening, Zhang Biao sighed: "I understand the hardships faced by those at the grassroots level."

"Although the imperial court is already discussing a new salary system, this kind of problem needs to be addressed at its root!"

"Note this down: to rectify official corruption, we need to improve the treatment of those at the grassroots level and strengthen supervision and management!"

Many low-ranking officials in the audience listened with great anticipation.

Just then, Zhang Biao suddenly pointed to a tall building not far away and said loudly:
"See that building? It's even more impressive than the Provincial Administration Office!"

"I'd like to know if this lord's salary is enough to repair this building? Anyone with information is welcome to share. If the clues are useful, there will be plenty of pig's head meat."

He's trying to steer the conversation toward his investigation.

However, before he could finish speaking, an elderly official with gray hair and a cane interrupted him:

"Your Excellency, Imperial Envoy! Your Honor! Why didn't you arrive sooner?!"

Wow!
The whole place was in an uproar!

The old official walked shakily onto the stage, bowed deeply to Zhang Biao, and said in a sorrowful, tearful voice:

"I am an old official from the Wuchang Prefecture Workshop. I have come here today at the risk of my life, not because of my own grievances, but on behalf of the tens of thousands of people outside Wuchang Prefecture, to plead for your life!"

His loud voice instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"Thirty miles outside the city, the main irrigation canal of Taohuawan has not been fully repaired since the dike breached two years ago!"

"This year's spring rains are insufficient. If we cannot irrigate the fields, tens of thousands of acres of fertile land within the embankment will surely yield no harvest!"

"Tens of thousands of people are starving and waiting to be fed; it looks like this could lead to a tragedy of family extinction!"

As the old official spoke, tears streamed down his face, and he knelt down with a thud, banging his head on the ground:

"The treasury is empty, and the officials are indifferent! I am but a lowly old man with little influence, and I have been running around and pleading for two years to no avail!"

"Now that we have seen the light of day, we can only implore you, sir, to spare no expense for the sake of the lives of tens of thousands of people and to oversee the repair of the irrigation canal!"

"Save my people from this suffering, my lord!"

His kneeling and weeping were so sincere that they instantly resonated with many people present.

A murmur and murmur arose from the crowd.

"The irrigation ditch in Taohuawan is right there; my family lives there. I'm afraid we're really going to have no harvest this year..."

"The old official is right..."

"Zhang Qingtian, you really have to do something about this!"

Before Zhang Biao could react, another clerk dressed in the household administration uniform stepped forward and knelt down with a thud:
"Sir! There are several dangerous sections along the Yangtze River embankment in Jiangxia County. It almost breached during last year's flood season!"

"With the flood season approaching this year, if we don't reinforce the dikes, half of Wuchang will be turned into a vast expanse of water if the dikes breach!"

"We earnestly request that Your Excellency allocate funds to reinforce the dike!"

Then, the third, the fourth...

"My lord! The almshouse in the city is already dilapidated, and hundreds of orphans and widows are destitute. With the cold winter approaching, there is a fear that they will freeze and starve to death!"

"Sir! The soldiers' pay in the garrison has been embezzled at every level, and the brothers haven't received their full pay for three months! Their families are almost starving!"

For a time, the entrance to the Four Seasons Inn was unusually lively.

These suddenly appearing low-level officials piled up all the most intractable and money-needing problems in Huguang, from water conservancy to people's livelihood, from military pay to relief, in the most tragic and pitiful way, in front of Zhang Biao.

They don't ask for rewards, they only ask for justice from the heavens.

They used 'righteousness' and 'public opinion' to weave an invisible net to trap Zhang Biao firmly.

All eyes were on Zhang Biao.

I want to see if this "Zhang Qingtian" will take on this real "people's suffering" or not.
If he accepted it, where would he get so much money?

He'll take on the first one, but what about the countless others that follow? He'll inevitably be dragged down by these bottomless pits!
If he doesn't accept the call, his previous image of "standing up for the people" will collapse completely, and he will lose all public support!
Upon seeing this, the two Imperial Guards' expressions changed drastically, and they looked at Zhang Biao with tense expressions.

Zhang Biao calmly looked at the low-ranking officials kneeling on the ground, weeping and wailing, and listened to the growing discussions and expectations of the people around him, but his face showed no panic.

He even... laughed.

That smile carried a hint of mockery, a hint of understanding, and a hint of eager excitement.

That's interesting.

He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling officials and the surrounding dark crowd.

[Trying to use moral blackmail against me? Playing a propaganda war?]

[They didn't even bother to find out what a Five-Strike Emperor is; his battle record is verifiable!]

"You audacious traitor! How dare you mislead the people and spread rumors to cause trouble?!"

Zhang Biao suddenly raised his voice and roared at the front of the stage, "Men! Seize these traitors and their accomplices for this imperial envoy—!"

Boom!

The entire audience was struck dumb, as if they had been instantly silenced!

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(End of this chapter)