Chapter 38: The Girl Disguises Herself as a Woman to Go Fishing

  The scholar sitting opposite shook his head and said, "Brother Ji, you are indeed a suspicious person. As an official, one should hold the character of justice in their heart and not be swayed by one-sided words or appearances. If judging cases were so simple, wouldn't it be that whoever speaks pitifully, whoever cries loudly, would win the lawsuit? Look at County Magistrate Lord, he has already arrested three vagrants and ordered the constables to search the entire city. The judgment cannot be said to be unfair. Capturing the culprits is no small matter, and without evidence, it's not right to act solely on the words of that Tang woman."

  "Preposterous! If that Tang woman really had an illicit lover, her husband was not at home, and her mother-in-law was old and inconvenient to move around. She usually took the lead in buying daily necessities. If she eloped with her lover, why would she choose a rainy night to leave? And why would she make such a big commotion, hiring people and cars, and even bringing her mother-in-law along? The city gates were closed at night, where could she escape to? With so many unreasonable points, do you still believe there's a possibility of elopement?"

  Gao Xing Shu Sheng suddenly said: "Ah, why didn't I think of that? Brother Ji's words make a lot of sense. Why don't we go see the county magistrate and tell him about Brother Ji's insight to help the great county magistrate solve the case?"

  "Don't!"

  Ji surname scholar blocked his way: "Xian Ning, you are too straightforward, don't you know that people's hearts are treacherous? The Yang surname scholar on the platform is much more clever than you. As an elder, I observed coldly, and County Magistrate's words, that Yang surname scholar also didn't believe them at all, but he never said a word on the platform. Can someone who passed the imperial examination and was appointed as a county official be as ignorant of worldly affairs and human relationships like you, Xian Ning? Which one of those officials isn't a cunning person?"

  He picked up his wine and coldly laughed: "I'm afraid he's not unaware, but rather pretending to be confused. Gao Xian-di, the waters of Putai County are very deep, you're such a naive person, it's better if you don't meddle in this, one careless move and we brothers will both fall in."

  Gao Xing Shu's face turned red with anger as he said, "You say... County Magistrate has intentionally indulged the murderer? How is this possible? County Magistrate has spent ten years studying Confucian classics and learning moral literature, now serving the country and receiving imperial salary, how could he possibly do something so unjust?"

  Ji Xing, a scholar, raised his neck and drank the wine in his cup, saying disdainfully: "If one has studied ethics and literature, they should know books and etiquette. Nowadays, the emperor doesn't need to use severe laws to punish corruption. Hu Wei-yong came up with the 'flaying and stuffing with grass' punishment, where officials who embezzle more than 60 guan are flayed, stuffed with grass, and left in their original office. New officials, when taking office, go to see the grass-stuffed former official as a warning. Can such a shocking lesson really stop corruption? But look at those corrupt officials, they come one after another, so has it been eradicated?"

  "As soon as a baby is born, it knows to suck its mother's milk. When twins are born and fight over it, they will inevitably cry and push each other away. Human nature is inherently evil, only knowing of 'me', not knowing of others. Morality, literature, poetry, rituals, education, and transformation can teach people, but cannot make everyone good. Moreover, there are those who cannot resist the temptations of wine, sex, wealth, and power. Today they may be good, tomorrow they may be evil. To govern the world, only the Legalist school is effective."

  This has to do with the two highly controversial propositions of "human nature is good" versus "human nature is evil" and "ruling the country by law" versus "ruling the country by Confucianism". Gao's face turned red with anger, and he said in a low voice: "I think that Mr. Shan is an upright and honest man, and does not look like a corrupt official who takes bribes and bends the law for personal gain. Ji, you are just because of your extreme views and your tendency to make shocking statements that you were expelled from school, why don't you know to repent?"

  This remark enraged the scholar with the surname Ji, who had only just managed to pass the imperial examination as a licentiate, but was often criticized by his instructors for making outrageous statements and even daring to have different opinions on the teachings of the great sages. This matter had long been a source of pain in his heart, and now that his friend had reopened the wound, he couldn't help but burst into rage, his eyes turning red as he glared at the scholar with the surname Gao and snarled: "Since you say so, do you dare to make a wager with me?"

  Gao Xing Shu said in surprise: "What are you betting on?"

  Ji Xing Shu said: "I'll come up with a plan to catch the scoundrel who kidnapped the civilian girl. If it's true that he has colluded with County Magistrate..."

  "What's going on then?" asked Gao Xing Shu Sheng.

  Ji Xing Shu said: "Why don't you stand on the street corner and shout three times: 'Human nature is good, dog fart doesn't make sense'?"

  Gao Xing's face changed color, "Human nature is good" was said by the second sage Mencius, as a Confucian disciple and a student of the county school, how could he dare to do such a rebellious and unrighteous thing.

  "Haha, you don't need to say anything, your hesitation has already proven that 'human nature is good, but useless' haha..."

  Gao Xing Shu's face turned red with excitement, he gritted his teeth and was about to accept the bet when Peng Ziyu, who was sitting in the corner, couldn't help but ask: "You seem so confident, do you have a way?"

  Ji and Gao were chatting enthusiastically, but it was not meal time yet. Xia Bian and Peng Ziqi had arrived earlier and entered through the back door, sitting in the corner without being noticed by the two men. It wasn't until they heard someone speaking that they realized their conversation had been a bit too free-wheeling. Upon taking a closer look, they immediately recognized the two as Yang and Peng, who had subdued the three thugs and saved Tang's wife, and they couldn't help but feel both shocked and delighted.

  Just now many people gathered at the gate of the government office to watch, and these two scholars also followed, so they recognized their appearance. The two men hastily left their seats, and Gao, the scholar, bowed from a distance, saying: "It turns out that it is Yang Gongzi and Peng Gongzi who are helping others in trouble, forgive me for my rudeness."

  Ji surname scholar then generous more, laughed and stood up: "Meet is fate, two brothers please move seat, we plan a drunk how?"

  He said that, and Gao surname bookworm hurriedly spoke up to invite him, Xia Jun's enthusiasm was hard to refuse, Peng Zikai wanted to know if Ji surname bookworm had a better idea than Xia Jun, so the two of them moved the wine and dishes over, the two tables sat together as one, exchanged greetings, and reported their identities.

  They were originally two book students, Ji Gang and Gao Xianning, both from Lin Yi. The two had been fellow students at the county school and had a deep friendship. After Ji Gang was expelled from the county school, their friendship did not break off because of this. Later, Gao Xianning wanted to leave his hometown to study, first because of their deep friendship and inability to part with each other, secondly because Ji Gang had practiced martial arts since childhood and had excellent fist and footwork skills, so having him accompany him would also be safe on the road, so he invited him to travel together.

  Two people traveled to various prefectures and counties in Shandong Province, yesterday they strolled to Putai County, were detained by heavy rain, this morning happened to see Xia Jun and Peng Ziqi escorting that Tang woman to the county government office, two people had nothing better to do, followed them and watched the whole process.

  Xia Liu vaguely remembered that when he watched martial arts dramas, it seemed that in the early years of the Ming Dynasty, there was a commander of the Brocade Guard named Ji Gang. However, this name is really ordinary, and people with the same name and surname are everywhere in the world. Xia Liu only knew that Commander Ji was very overbearing and domineering, but he didn't understand his life story, nor did he know where he was from. He never thought that this talented young man had anything to do with that powerful Ji Gang, so although he felt a sense of familiarity with the name, he didn't think much of it.

  They exchanged names and sat down. Peng Ziqi couldn't wait to ask, "Brother Ji, do you have a good plan to catch that scoundrel?"

  "This...", Ji Gang hesitated.

  Peng Ziqi said, "To be honest with you, Brother Ji, we also hate that scoundrel for being so arrogant. Just now, we were discussing ways to deal with him. If you have a good plan, perhaps we can join forces and get rid of this scourge for the local people."

  She lightly patted the knife in her palm and proudly said, "In terms of knowledge, I am not as good as all of you, but if it's about martial arts, I'm confident that I can lend a helping hand."

  Ji Ganglu hesitated for a moment before speaking quickly: "Just now I really thought of a plan, but there are still many difficulties in carrying it out."

  Peng Ziqi hastily said: "Brother Ji, please speak, let's discuss it together."

  Ji Gang lowered his voice and said, "That wicked man kidnapped the civilian girl, eight or nine out of ten times, it's for her beauty. Since that's the case, to lure him into our trap, we must cater to his desires, attack his weaknesses. My idea is to go to other prefectures and counties, use a large sum of money to hire a talented and beautiful young woman from a brothel, disguise her as a village girl who has come to rely on relatives, and have her parade around in this Putai County. As soon as that wicked man sees her, he will naturally harbor evil intentions, and once he makes a move..."

  Peng Ziqi was shocked: "How is his method exactly the same as Yang Wenhuan's?"

  Peng Ziqi composed himself and said: "This matter is extremely perilous, how could that girl possibly agree?"

  Ji Gang said: "Money can make a ghost grind! Moreover, this matter is so important, how can it be told in plain words?"

  Peng Ziqi said somewhat displeased: "In that case, isn't it taking advantage of her? What if something goes wrong..."

  Ji Gang said disapprovingly, "Brother Peng, you're being muddle-headed. How can you accomplish great things with that kind of woman? She's only good for flesh trade, and if something goes wrong... Heh heh, what would she lose anyway?"

  "It's easy to lure a snake out of its hole," Xia Yu said slowly, "but how do you catch the thief and get to the root of the matter?"

  Ji Gang smiled and said, "Brother Yang's concerns are valid, so if we want to carry out this plan, the most crucial part is not luring the snake out of its hole, but how to capture the thief. Therefore, if we are to carry out this plan, I must first rush to Qingzhou Walnut Garden to see someone and get their help, only then can this plan be carried out."

  Xia Zhan asked: "Qingzhou Walnut Garden? Who is the remarkable person there?"

  Ji Gang smiled and said: "Ah, I forgot, Yang brother and Peng brother are from Qingzhou, hehe, have you ever heard of the walnut garden Cui family?"

  Xia Xuan vaguely felt that the name was somewhat familiar, but before he could recall it, Peng Qi had already let out a soft "ah" and exclaimed: "Qingzhou Walnut Garden Cui family, I know, Brother Ji must be referring to Cui Di's old man Cui?"

  Ji Gang said, "That's right. It turns out that Brother Peng has also heard of the Cui family. I, Ji, have some kinship with the Cui family. The eldest son of the main branch of the Cui family, Cui Yuanlie, is my distant cousin."

  "Choi Won-ryeol?"

  Xia Xian suddenly remembered that Cui Yuanlie was the young scholar who had collided with Zhu's carriage on the street, and later had a crush on Zhu's daughter. He had even invited Cui Yuanlie to visit his mansion, but now he had left Qingzhou in just a few days, and Xia Xian didn't know if Cui Yuanlie had visited him or not.

  Ji Gang said: "Among the three most powerful families in Shandong, are the Qi King, Lu King and Confucius' family. Next to them is the walnut garden Cui family."

  Xia Fu was shocked and somewhat disbelieving. He remembered that Cui Yuanlie had once told him about his family background, and it seemed that his father was just a landlord without any official title, and his grandfather had only served as an eighth-rank instructor at the local school, so how could they have any power or influence?

  Ji Gang said: "Cui Taigong has only been a eighth-rank official, the education officer of the prefecture, and his position is indeed not high. However, even if Cui Taigong had met with the Three Dukes and Six Ministers, he would still be on an equal footing. This old man has in his possession a white gold dragon-head cane bestowed by the Emperor himself, and the Emperor has issued a special decree allowing Cui Old Master to wear first-rank ceremonial attire and enjoy first-rank ceremonial treatment when entering or leaving. However, this old man is always cautious and self-restrained, never relying on his influence to show off, so few people know about it."

  Xia Jiangdong asked: "What is the identity of this Old Man Cui that he has received such great favor from His Majesty?"

  Ji Gang smiled and said, "It's nothing much. It's just that when the current emperor was still a cowherd boy, he once drifted to Shandong Province. At that time, he was herding cattle in the Walnut Garden of the Cui family in Qingzhou Prefecture. The old master of the Cui family was then still the young master of the Cui family. He treated the emperor very kindly and never beat or scolded him. Instead, he often secretly gave him some food to help him out. Later, when the emperor ascended to the throne, he repaid the kindness and rewarded the Cui family heavily."

  Ji Gang said with a smile, "I've only met this distant cousin of mine once or twice, but I know he's always been straightforward. If he knew what was happening here, he'd definitely be willing to help. This cousin is the apple of Old Lady Cui's eye, and if he's willing to help, he can get her to lend us her dragon-head cane. With that in hand, even if Magistrate Pu has taken a lot of bribes from those scoundrels, he wouldn't dare show open bias. Once the news gets out, he won't be able to protect them anymore."

  Peng Ziqi frowned and said, "This method is naturally feasible, but first going to other states to choose a woman and then going to Qingzhou to invite Cui Gongzi, back and forth, who knows how many days it will take. By the time that wicked person is caught, I'm afraid Tang's little daughter will already..."

  Ji Gang said calmly, "When one is in a precarious situation and planning something big, it's only natural to plan before acting, striving for a sure hit. If we can eliminate one evil and prevent others from being harmed, that's already a great merit. As for that Tang family daughter, since it's clear she can't be saved, how can you ask for perfection?"

  Xia Han gave him a glance and thought: "A ruthless person with no conscience!"

  Peng Ziqi said indignantly: "What a big deal is the reputation of a daughter? How can it be so lightly written off? As long as there's a glimmer of hope, we shouldn't just stand by and do nothing. Besides, if an innocent woman gets entangled in this, even if she's a courtesan, it's not a clean move. Alright, I'll think of a way to lure the scoundrel out. As for Qingzhou, Brother Ji should get started right away; every extra day we can gain is a bonus."

  Ji Gang asked strangely: "Does Brother Peng have a suitable candidate?"

  Peng Ziqi's face turned red as she said: "I... I'm a man dressed as a woman, is that not allowed?"

  Ji Gang and Gao Xian Ning couldn't help but stare at Peng Ziqi, whose curved eyebrows, big eyes, straight nose bridge, small mouth, and pale skin were even more delicate than a girl's. At this moment, his face was flushed with shyness, like two peach blossoms. If such a beautiful young man were to wear women's clothes...

  "Go! Of course go!" Ji Gang and Gao Xian Ning immediately nodded in unison.

  Xia Liu rubbed his nose and said slowly, "Qingzhou Walnut Garden is not necessary to go, if Gao brother and Ji brother are willing to help, in this Putai County, we can borrow enough power to resist the county magistrate, so...can't we execute the fishing plan immediately?"

  Having a cold for several days, now every time I speak, the sound is very suitable for standing at the palace gate early in the morning and shouting: Long live the Emperor, it's time for the morning court! Your Majesty, it's time to vote...