Chapter 1218: Honest People Always Act According to Reason
Man Gu sat up groggily and pondered for a moment, confirming this wasn’t a dream.
The reason was simple—there was no way he could dream something like this.
“Senior brothers, back then, I wasn’t familiar with the rules of officialdom and offended Commandery Governor Lu, which made him find me an eyesore. But we can’t arrest him just for that.”
Meng Jingzhou gave a thumbs-up, reassuring Man Gu. “We followed the rules and regulations. The commandery governor is the one with problems.”
Man Gu breathed a sigh of relief. Right. Both senior brothers are rule-abiding people. They wouldn’t arrest someone out of personal motives.
He remembered the purpose of inviting them here was to catch ghosts, yet they had arrested his superior in one night.
That makes the answer obvious.
“So it was Commandery Governor Lu behind the hauntings?”
As expected of my senior brothers, they solved a problem that has been plaguing me for three months in a single day.
“That’s not it. We ran into an illegal organization during our night patrol and traced it back to Commandery Governor Lu, who has been protecting them all this time,” Lu Yang explained.
“I see.” Man Gu nodded.
It wasn’t his first time dealing with a commandery governor, so it didn’t bother him. I’d killed the Yanjiang Commandery Governor alongside my senior brothers.
Besides, they’re only arresting a commandery governor, not killing one. It’s not a big deal.
~~~
The arrest of Commandery Governor Lu was too major an event to be kept under wraps. Moreover, given how aboveboard Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had acted, there was no need to conceal the matter. News spread throughout the yamen quickly.
“What in the world? Commandery Governor Lu was arrested by the new guys?”
Anyone who heard the news in the yamen was dazed for a few seconds. Their brains needed time to process the information.
“Didn’t they just join yesterday? And they arrested the commandery governor that same night?”
Despite having worked in the civil service for many years, they had never heard of something so absurd, let alone seen it.
“Lord Registrar, what do you think... Oh, you’re taking your medicine. We shall not disturb you then.”
The bailiffs wanted to ask the registrar for his opinion, but seeing him trembling as he drank his medicine, they tactfully left.
How could the registrar not tremble? Over the past few years, he had been telling Man Gu not to do this and that. He had long heard that Commandery Governor Lu found Man Gu an eyesore. If Man Gu weren’t the zhuangyuan, the top scorer in the palace-level imperial examination, Commandery Governor Lu would have made life difficult for him long ago.
Man Gu’s year-end evaluation depended on the commandery governor’s assessment, so the registrar had tried everything he could to maintain the relationship between Man Gu and the commandery governor.
Great, now there’s no need.
~~~
“Court is now in session!” Man Gu was clad in his official robes, with his sleeves rolled up. He slapped the table, the sound louder than any gavel.[1]
“Bring in the prisoner!”
“Migh-ty! Fear-some!”[2]
The two meritorious constables escorted Commandery Governor Lu in.
Hearing that another court was in session, the commoners flocked over to watch the spectacle. Only when they saw it with their own eyes did they confirm that it was worth the trip—a major official had been caught.
When Old Wang and Little Wang saw the two constables from last night escorting the commandery governor, they were so stunned their jaws hung open for a long while.
Didn’t they say they were going after the Hundred Swords Alliance? How did they end up arresting the commandery governor too?
“Man Gu, how dare you have them arrest me?!” Commandery Governor Lu was incensed. It’s obvious that these two little constables are acting on Man Gu’s orders!
“Why wouldn’t I dare... Oh, this is where I’m supposed to say you’ve taken bribes, violated the law, and abused your position for personal gain. Naturally, this official has to arrest you!
“Is it true that the Hundred Swords Alliance sends you spirit stones regularly?”
“No.”
“Did you order the Hundred Swords Alliance to use any means necessary to steal swords across the Wilderness Province?”
“No.”
“We found a hundred and eight swords in your room, ranging from the Divine Transfiguration to the Golden Core grade. Are they yours?”
“No.”
“Is it true that you violated court regulations by visiting brothels and pleasure boats after hours?”
“No.”
Man Gu turned to the registrar, who was frantically taking notes. “Record it: Evidence is conclusive, but the defendant refuses to plead guilty. This doesn’t qualify as a voluntary admission of guilt. Hence, there are no grounds for leniency in sentencing.”
Before the court session, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had acted swiftly, going back to gather all the evidence, including the ninety-nine members of the Hundred Swords Alliance.
However, the Hundred Swords Alliance had too many people. They had only managed to take statements from the alliance leader, vice alliance leader, and the two named Mystic Black and Hegemon.
It wasn’t a big issue. They could hold another court session after taking all the statements.
“I’m an official appointed by the imperial court. No official below the fourth rank has the authority to prosecute me!” Commandery Governor Lu grew even more furious. This is a complete and utter humiliation.
“Hold on.”
With that, Man Gu began flipping through the statute books on the spot. He first checked the Penal Code to determine the charges, then the Criminal Procedure Code to ascertain jurisdiction. Only then did he close the books with a satisfied smile.
“See? The law says that I have the authority to handle anything under my jurisdiction. It doesn’t state that lower-ranking officials can’t arrest higher-ranking ones.”
He flashed his identity jade tablet. “Besides, I’m from the Dao-Seeking Sect. Our disciples have enforcement authority.”
Man Gu had always looked up to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou as role models. They are honest people, and so am I. Honest people always act according to reason.
“Alright, take him back.”
Since Commandery Governor Lu refused to say anything, Man Gu decided there was no point continuing the trial.
~~~
News of Man Gu arresting his immediate superior soon reached the higher-ups of the Wilderness Province. Their reactions were no better than those in the yamen. They froze for a couple of seconds, wondering if they had misheard.
Although history reflected reality, in the three hundred thousand years of Great Yu, Great Qian, and Great Xia combined, nothing like this had ever happened.
“Look on the bright side. At least future generations will have a case study for reference.” One higher-up was still in the mood to joke. He had interacted with Man Gu a few times and knew this was exactly the thing he was capable of.
“Actually, there is a precedent. This is how things were done whenever rebellions broke out toward the end of a dynasty.”
“Lord Song, that’s going too far. Are you suggesting Man Gu is rebelling?”
“Those are your words, not mine.”
“Isn’t that exactly what you meant?!”
As the discussion ventured into dangerous territory, Provincial Governor Lü rapped the table. “Enough, stop joking. Although there’s no precedent, Man Gu’s actions don’t violate regulations. Based on the evidence submitted, Commandery Governor Lu has indeed broken the law and should be removed from office.”
“Then who should take over as commandery governor? Man Gu? Since he became county magistrate, Quyi County has been governed well, with notable economic growth.”
“Of course, the economy grew significantly. He personally went into the mines when his cultivation fluctuated to the Fusion Stage and nearly dug out an entire vein. How is that any different from cheating? We can’t let him be the commandery governor.”
“Economic development is what matters. Why demand so much more? His cultivation is his own. Are you saying he shouldn’t use it?”
“If not Man Gu, then who? Zhongshan Commandery has few competent candidates. Who else can bear such a heavy responsibility?”
Provincial Governor Lü shook his head and slapped the table, making the final decision. “Man Gu is indeed not suitable. Although he’s a zhuangyuan, he lacks the experience and seniority. Making an exception to promote him would require the imperial court’s approval.
“In my opinion, the county magistrate of Guyuan County in Zhongshan Commandery is steady, experienced, and commands respect. He can take over as commandery governor.”
1. This is how the Chinese gavel or jingtangmu looks. It’s cuboidal in shape. ☜
2. There is no exact translation for this, but it’s a ceremonial chant of sorts to signal that the hearing has begun. If you watch Chinese historical dramas, you would likely have seen this. The bailiffs would stand in a line on either side and cry “weiiiii... wuuuuu” while tapping the ground with a wooden staff. I found a clip from a really old Chinese drama, but I hope it’s enough to give you a rough idea. ☜