Moma Liangshan

Chapter 137 Settling Accounts After the Autumn Harvest, Luo Xue Li Tong

On the seventh day after returning to Jiaozhou, Feng Gu and Zhu Heng finally received a summons from Wang Hao. In the council hall of the Laoshan County government office, Wang Hao sat at the head of the table, with Zhu Heng and Feng Gu in the next seat. Military officials such as Yang Zhi, Lin Chong, Lu Da, Cao Hong, and Xiong Pi sat to the left, while civil officials such as Ma Cao, Zhang Ju, Chen Song, Di Chunqiu, and Qin Guanhai sat to the right. The council hall was spacious enough to accommodate a hundred people without feeling crowded, yet the outnumbered Zhu Heng and Feng Gu felt no relief looking at the sea of ​​civil and military officials. Without any preamble, Wang Hao stated directly, "Laoshan County has limited arable land, insufficient to support 100,000 people. Therefore, I had no choice but to explore alternative paths and decided to vigorously develop Jiaozhou's industry and commerce, hoping to use this opportunity to gradually lift the entire region out of hunger. However, some people are blinded by greed, completely disregarding the lives of 100,000 people for the sake of their own official positions." At this point, everyone present was filled with righteous indignation, and Feng Gu and Zhu Heng unconsciously tightened their collars. Wang Hao said, "What does Registrar Feng think should be done with such a despicable person?" Feng Gu didn't think Wang Hao would dare to make trouble today, so he gritted his teeth and said, "Whether he's a true villain or a hypocrite, in the Song Dynasty there are only opportunistic officials, not county magistrates who can control everything!" Wang Hao laughed and said, "Sometimes an arrow is on the bowstring but not released, not because the bowman is afraid, but because the prey in front of him isn't worth it!" Zhu Heng was indignant, slammed his fist on the table, and pointed at Wang Hao, cursing, "I have Grand Commandant Gao and Grand Tutor Cai backing me up. Even if you, Wang Hao, beat a dog, you have to consider its master!" Wang Hao ignored Zhu Heng and still looked at Feng Gu, saying, "There's a story I think Registrar Feng should hear!" Feng Gu smiled insincerely and said, "Please enlighten me, Your Excellency!"

Wang Hao said, “Once upon a time, there was a mountain village, and in that village lived a doctor. One day, a mouse ran into his house and stole a few grains of rice. Out of compassion, the doctor didn’t chase the mouse away. But later, the villagers contracted a serious illness, and the doctor took out all the medicinal herbs in his house and brewed a pot of medicine to save the lives of everyone in the village. If, at this time, that mouse came again and lingered around the medicine pot, do you think the doctor would still turn a blind eye?”

Feng Gu felt immensely humiliated, yet Wang Hao's words made perfect sense. After a long pause, he said, "Is the magistrate trying to tell us that Laoshan County allows rats to exist, but these rats must abide by the magistrate's rules. Otherwise, if they damage things they shouldn't, they might lose their lives?" Wang Hao nodded and said, "Recorder Feng is indeed a clever man!" Zhu Heng was even more furious and said, "I am the dignified Commandant of Laoshan County, not someone you, a mere magistrate, can kill as you please!" Wang Hao's tone was very calm as he said, "You are welcome to try!" Zhu Heng dared not look into the fierce eyes of Lin Chong and the others, and said, "Magistrate..." "Aren't you afraid I'll impeach you in the Ministry of Personnel?" Wang Hao said. "If your death is near, not only the Ministry of Personnel, but even the Ministry of Justice won't be able to find your body; if your death isn't near, do you think you can cause trouble in the Ministry of Personnel based on just one side of the story?" Zhu Heng retorted, "I may not be able to, but don't forget about Grand Commandant Gao and Grand Tutor Cai!" Wang Hao couldn't help but laugh and said, "The moment your memorial reaches the Ministry of Personnel, I won't kill you. Then it will be you, Zhu Heng, slandering your superiors and plotting rebellion. I'm afraid exile to Qiongzhou will be inevitable!" Feng Gu kept giving Zhu Heng meaningful glances, hoping he would temporarily avoid Wang Hao's wrath. Zhu Heng was furious, his neck turned red, and cold sweat soaked through his clothes. Feng Gu seized the opportunity and said, "The magistrate's advice will be remembered by both me and County Commandant Zhu!" After saying that, he pulled Zhu Heng up and walked towards the gate. Wang Hao watched Feng Gu's retreating figure and said, "It's rare for a person to live past seventy. How many more years can we rely on the powerful figures in Tokyo?" Feng Gu paused slightly, glanced at Zhu Heng beside him out of the corner of his eye, and continued walking out.

Stepping out of the hall and breathing in the fresh air, Zhu Heng's expression eased slightly. He questioned Feng Gu, "Why didn't you dare to stand up for us when Wang Hao humiliated us like this?" Feng Gu gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, "In the eyes of Grand Tutor Cai and Grand Commandant Gao, you and I are dogs that can be discarded at any time; in Wang Hao's eyes, you and I are rats that are harmful in every way. If you and I still can't recognize our situation, then one day you and I will die without a burial place!" Fear and disbelief flashed in Zhu Heng's eyes as he said, "The officials won't abandon us!" Feng Gu said, "The premise for the officials to protect us is that we still have value!" Zhu Heng was powerless to argue and said, "Brother Feng, what do you think we should do?" Feng Gu said, "If Grand Commandant Gao and Grand Tutor Cai don't give clear instructions, then we'll obediently be two rats under Wang Hao's command!" Zhu Heng asked impatiently, "What if the two officials give instructions?" Feng Gu said, "We must plan carefully before we act!"

That night, Feng Gu told his wife everything that had happened during the day. After listening, Madam Feng asked, "Zhu Heng is reckless and not worth planning with. Why do you keep reminding him?" Feng Gu replied, "Wang Hao's strategy towards me and Zhu Heng is very simple: win one over and teach the other a lesson. Because Zhu Heng is reckless, I've become the one being won over. If one day Zhu Heng falls, and the court sends in a shrewd and worldly-wise county magistrate, then I'm afraid I'll be the one being suppressed!" Madam Feng suddenly understood and said, "Does my husband want Zhu Heng to be a human shield forever?" Feng Gu nodded and said, "My wife is absolutely right!" Madam Feng continued, "My husband has studied diligently for over ten years. Are you going to waste all your years in the internal strife of Jiaozhou?" Feng Gu sighed, touching Madam Feng's slightly protruding belly, and said, "Now that you're pregnant, I'm going to be a father. Those risky things are no longer possible." At this point, even... He quickly closed the doors and windows and continued, “Although Wang Hao is quite wary of me, he is a man with a broad vision and won’t deliberately suppress me. Jiaozhou Academy has already opened, and Wang Hao attaches great importance to it, even appointing his father as its dean. This alone is enough to prove Wang Hao’s determination to revitalize education in Laoshan County. However, looking at the entire Laoshan County government, besides me, no one else has passed the imperial examinations. Therefore, so far, I am the only one who can help Wang Hao establish the Laoshan County School!” Madam Feng was puzzled and said, “Establishing a school costs money; Wang Hao might not accept your favor!” Feng Gu was very confident and said, “Madam, don’t forget, I and Li Tong from Luoxue were classmates for six years, and as far as I know, he arrived in Laizhou a month ago and is staying at Zhao Mingcheng’s residence!” Madam Feng said, “Has Lord Zhao already taken over as the prefect of Laizhou?” Feng Gu nodded and said, “That’s right!”