The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 27 Tit for Tat

The wealthy man fainted right there.

I don’t know if I’m dead or alive.

As Ximen Da Guanren and He Qianhu looked at each other in bewilderment.

A woman wearing a deep purple jacket with gold trim and a dark green brocade skirt suddenly rushed out from the crowd.

She was none other than Madam Yu, the principal wife of Zhang the wealthy man.

The woman was nearly fifty years old, with graying temples, but although her face was also deathly pale, she exuded a fierce determination.

The Yu family's reputation is, in some ways, greater than that of the Zhang family.

She was a notorious shrew and jealous woman, but she was even more cunning and calculating than Zhang the landlord.

She observed that although Commander He's tone was stern, he did not immediately order the arrest and confiscation of property.

Looking at Ximen Qing's leisurely fanning himself, it was clear he was waiting for something!
There's no reason why military personnel would bring unrelated individuals to a case.

He Qianhu was standing subtly one step behind Ximen Qing.

In such a situation, the light in one's heart is ignited.

They're smuggling military supplies, when it's clearly my master who intercepted their honeysuckle, and now they're retaliating.

He Qianhu is the tiger on the surface, but Ximen Qing is the wolf in the shadows.

This isn't a case that needs to be solved; it's like hungry wolves coming to plunder your bones!

Yu made up his mind. Given the current situation, it was impossible not to bleed out and cut his losses. After all, as long as people are alive, that's more important than anything else.

She fell heavily to her knees with a "thud"!
His knees slammed against the cold, hard brick floor with a dull thud.

He looked up and pleaded:
"Lord He, have mercy! Lord Ximen, have mercy! We beg you both to show mercy and save my entire Zhang family! My master is innocent! He's been framed by our enemies!"

"My lord, considering we've been fellow townsmen for many years and have had some dealings in the past, please put in a good word for us with Lord He! My Zhang family... my Zhang family is willing to give up all our wealth and sell our property to compensate for the losses incurred by the military!"

"I beg... I beg Lord He and the high official to show mercy and spare the lives of my entire clan of dozens of people! I beg you! I beg you!"

She cried and begged while banging her forehead heavily against the ground, making a thud, and blood quickly appeared on her forehead.

Although she was a woman, she was ruthless.

In just a few moments, his skin was torn open, and blood mixed with tears covered his face.

But his eyes were fixed on Ximen Qing, the meaning of which was self-evident!

“Madam, why are you doing this?” Master Ximen sighed. “Please rise quickly. What are you doing? You’re making me feel terrible. Lord He is handling this case by imperial decree, and he is impartial and incorruptible. How dare we commoners presume to interfere? The law of the land is as firm as a mountain!”

Then, the tone shifted: "However... Lord He commands the army, protecting the borders and the people, working tirelessly day and night, his responsibility is heavier than Mount Tai. Now, with bandits rampant in the southeast, and soldiers fighting bloody battles, military supplies and provisions are of paramount importance to maintaining the foundation of the nation."

"If your Zhang family can truly understand the bigger picture and prioritize the overall situation, and proactively show some sincerity to make up for the military supply deficit, help Lord He stabilize the morale of the army, and share the burden of the country... perhaps Lord He, considering your repentance and showing compassion for life, might grant you a special favor beyond the law."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yu, like a drowning person grasping at a last straw, ignored the pain in her forehead and kowtowed repeatedly, her voice trembling with relief: "Willing! Willing! My Zhang family is willing! We are willing to give up everything we own! We will obey your orders, sir and Lord He! We only ask to live!"

Ximen Qing then raised his eyes, looked at Commander He, and nodded slightly.

Commander He understood, stroked his short beard, and the anger on his face subsided slightly, but his voice remained cold and hard:

"Hmph! You have embezzled and transported stolen military supplies; the evidence is irrefutable! According to the law, you should be executed and your entire family wiped out! However, Heaven has a benevolent heart, and I am not one to punish without warning! Considering that you women and children may be unaware of the situation, and further considering that if you can sincerely repent, atone for your crimes, and voluntarily contribute military supplies to compensate for the court's losses, I may consider submitting a memorial to the throne, demonstrating your sincerity in repentance, and seeking a glimmer of hope for your lives! However, while you may be spared the death penalty, you will not escape punishment! Your property will be confiscated!" Madam Yu's heart was in her throat, and she hurriedly asked, "But I wonder... how much grain does Lord He need? My Zhang family... will sell everything we own to gather it!"

Commander He held up two fingers, his tone resolute and brooking no argument: "Eighteen hundred shi! Top-quality rice! Every grain must be plump and free of any mold or sand! It must be delivered to the garrison's granary within three days! If even a single grain is missing, or a moment's delay occurs, don't blame me for being ruthless and acting according to the law!"

One thousand eight hundred shi!

Yu was overjoyed, even though this was only 80% of the grain stored in all of the Zhang family's granaries!

But it's just a matter of gritting your teeth.

Without the slightest hesitation, she replied, "Yes! Yes! I have remembered! Within three days, I will deliver 1,800 shi of top-quality rice in full! I will not fail to do so!"

Ximen Da Guanren glanced at He Qianhu.

No wonder the magistrate of Qinghe County is making a fortune, while Commander He is so poor.

A deficit of 1800 koku means a loss of 1800 koku.

It's described as clear water, yet it's not.

He had the desire to steal but lacked the courage.
He clearly coveted the valuables in the hall, but he didn't say a word.

Master Ximen closed his fan: "Madam Zhang, I'm afraid the provisions alone won't be enough. Lord He works tirelessly day and night for the court and the military, and this time, he's put in even more effort for your Zhang family's mess, bearing a huge responsibility. Managing relationships with superiors and subordinates, and pacifying the army—all of these things require resources. Furthermore, your Zhang family's assets, especially those farmlands..."

Yu was shocked. She knelt on the ground, lowered her head, gritted her teeth, and continued to listen.

Ximen Da Guanren paused, his gaze sweeping over the unconscious Zhang Da Hu slumped in his chair, before finally settling on Yu Shi's face: "The five hundred mu of top-quality paddy fields southeast of Qinghe County are irrigated with fresh water from the canal, yielding two and a half shi per mu, making them the best fertile fields in Qinghe County; the six hundred mu of dry fields outside the North Gate, though slightly inferior, still grow good wheat."

"And there are those four hundred mu of mulberry and hemp fields in the western suburbs, supporting dozens of weavers with a considerable annual income... Adding all of this together, there are exactly 1,500 mu of fertile land! These fields are now tainted by the filth of 'colluding with bandits,' and keeping them will only bring trouble and create more problems. Why not... offer them all up for Lord He to handle, either as military settlements or sold to fund the army? This would be a way for you all to completely repent and sever ties with the past! Lord He, what do you think?"

He Qianhu was overjoyed, but on the surface he nodded solemnly, appearing to be doing his job: "What Master Ximen said is absolutely right! The land is the foundation, and it has been tainted by such heinous sins. Keeping it is of no use and will only bring disaster! Only by offering it up can you show your sincerity in repentance! I will handle it on your behalf, which can be considered making the best use of the land and sharing the burden of the country!"

Yu felt as if a piece of flesh had been ripped out of her heart!

1,500 mu of fertile land!

Ximen Qing has such a cruel heart.

Zhang Dahu was known as Zhang Bantian by the people of Qinghe County.

The couple used various means to lend money and acquire land in Qinghe County.

Today, it owns nearly half of Qinghe County's farmland.

The land totals over 2000 mu, including clan land left by the Zhang family and the property accumulated by the couple over the years!

Although the annual income is not as good as that of silk shops, pawnshops, and loan sharks, the advantage lies in the stable and deeply rooted income.

Whether rented out or cultivated independently, the land is fertile and guaranteed to yield a good harvest regardless of drought or flood.

It is the foundation upon which the Zhang family makes a living.

But now Ximen Qing has clearly investigated his assets thoroughly. He asked for 1500 mu of fertile land, leaving behind only 500 mu that are barren, mostly graveyards.

Thinking of this, her vision blurred and she almost fainted.

(End of this chapter)