Chapter 362
Whether Qian Shipeng was feigning his allegiance for the Qian family's assets or had genuinely defected to the barbarians, the Forbidden Dragon Guard was already monitoring him. As for the people at the horse farm and in the merchant caravans mentioned by Madam Qian, He Sheng had also submitted their names, ensuring someone would investigate each of them.
As night fell, the candles in the guest room burned brightly.
"When the Way is not practiced, I know its cause: the wise overstep it; the foolish fall short of it. When the Way is not made clear, I know its cause: the worthy overstep it; the unworthy fall short of it." Zhan Feiyu recited silently, the quote from the Doctrine of the Mean.
The original meaning was: The reason the Doctrine of the Mean cannot be practiced, I know: intelligent people are too conceited and understand it too deeply; foolish people lack the intellect to comprehend it.
The reason the Doctrine of the Mean cannot be promoted, I know: capable people go too far; incapable people cannot achieve it.
This was also homework assigned by Scholar Gu, who had sent someone from the capital. It required an essay of at least seven hundred characters discussing the Doctrine of the Mean. Zhan Feiyu ground her inkstick while contemplating, a habit she had cultivated over the years.
Confucius once said, "The Mean, is it not the highest attainment? But the people have long been unable to practice it." This was Confucius's view on the text; the Mean was the ultimate state of being, and few could consistently adhere to it.
A faint scent of ink permeated the room, harmonizing with the crackling sound of rain outside, creating a serene atmosphere that naturally calmed the mind.
Zhan Feiyu set down the inkstick, not immediately picking up her brush. She had spent more time thinking than usual today. Such essays, while seemingly broad and allowing for free expression unlike fixed topics in formal essays, still required a strong opening.
The wider the scope, the harder it was to begin. There seemed to be much to write, but an essay's essence lay in its central idea and artistic conception. If it meandered without focus, the entire piece would be ruined.
"The Doctrine of the Mean..." Zhan Feiyu mused. To use an inappropriate analogy, it was like the arduous study of "hanging by a thread and stabbing the thigh with an awl." Was pursuing the Doctrine of the Mean with such intensity right or wrong?
Diligent study was certainly not wrong, but there was a limit to it.
As the saying goes, "one who lacks the strength to truss a chicken." If one ruined their health through excessive study, they wouldn't even be able to live like an ordinary person, let alone pass the imperial examinations. This was going too far.
Dipping her brush in ink, Zhan Feiyu had a general outline in mind. The Doctrine of the Mean was not just a supreme moral standard but, more importantly, a supreme practical wisdom.
Having a standard did not mean being rigid and unyielding; it required constant adjustment in practice to adapt to changing circumstances. This was why Confucius said, "the wise overstep it, the foolish fall short of it"—both excessive cleverness and foolishness were undesirable.
Zhuangzi also said, "My life is limited, but knowledge is boundless. To pursue the boundless with the limited is perilous."
When He Sheng returned, dripping wet, it was an hour later. Zhan Feiyu had just added some silver charcoal to the brazier. She looked up and asked, "Have the arrangements at the prefectural yamen's prison been made?"
Closing the door behind him, He Sheng immediately came over to take over the task of adding charcoal. He then glanced at the north-facing window.
The window was slightly ajar, allowing a cold breeze to enter, but a screen blocked it, ensuring his lady would not be chilled while reading at her desk, nor would she suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning by having a brazier in the room.
"Because A Nuan had already placed two people inside, this time it will be much more convenient. If anyone comes to see Assistant Prefect Pang, or to silence him, we will be able to apprehend them," He Sheng had gone out after dinner and had been busy for two to three hours. Fortunately, the deployment was thorough.
Before Zhan Feiyu could speak, He Sheng relayed the latest news, "Madam Qian went straight to Prefect Pang's residence immediately after leaving the inn, without even resting."
Previously, Qian Shipeng had been hiding in Prefect Pang's residence. Given that it was the official residence of a fifth-rank assistant prefect, neither Zhan Feiyu nor the Forbidden Dragon Guard could openly storm in to find him.
However, with Assistant Prefect Pang now imprisoned due to the death of Prefect Zhang, and his residence temporarily surrounded by constables, Qian Shipeng would absolutely not be able to get out.
Tea was brewing on a small stove. Zhan Feiyu poured two cups, warming her hands with one. She chuckled, not unkindly, "Did Madam Qian manage to see him?"
"No. Assistant Prefect Zhao issued a strict order that no one is allowed in or out of Prefect Pang's residence until the official from the Provincial Administration Commission arrives. Food is only delivered after being inspected by the constables," He Sheng found Assistant Prefect Zhao's style of handling matters exasperatingly rigid and unaccommodating.
If it were other officials, they would seize the opportunity to solidify Prefect Pang's guilt. Even if not for the murder of Prefect Zhang, Prefect Pang, having served for many years, would surely have some unsavory dealings. If Assistant Prefect Zhao had led a search of Prefect Pang's residence, he would likely have found something.
Even if not, with some underhanded tactics, framing him at this juncture would be too easy.
If it were a more astute official, they would instigate those with grudges against Prefect Pang to file complaints or report him. When a tree falls, its shade scatters; when a wall collapses, everyone pushes.
Even if Prefect Pang were ultimately not the murderer of Prefect Zhang, other charges would be definitively established, and Prefect Pang would have no chance of recovery.
But Assistant Prefect Zhao did not do this. He ordered guards for the prison, for Prefect Pang's residence, and for the crime scene. Even the coroner was not allowed to examine Prefect Zhang's body. He then dispatched a rider at full speed to the Provincial Administration Commissioner's office in Longzhou Prefecture to report to Lord Yao.
He Sheng put down his teacup and watched Zhan Feiyu begin to tidy her desk. Knowing he wouldn't be disturbing her studies, he couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what do you suspect Prefect Zhang's cause of death to be?"
In the morning, Zhan Feiyu had visited the study in the rear quarters of the prefectural yamen and had seen Prefect Zhang's body. Judging by the crime scene, Prefect Zhang did indeed appear to have been accidentally pushed by Prefect Pang, hitting a screen and dying unexpectedly.
However, could two old foxes in officialdom really act so impulsively? Zhan Feiyu, let alone anyone on the streets of Suzhou, would likely not believe such a manner of death.
Carefully putting away the dried article, Zhan Feiyu, who had also pondered the issue during her break, said, "If there was no one else in the study at the time, then Prefect Zhang likely committed suicide to frame Prefect Pang."
Seeing that it was still early, Zhan Feiyu became interested. She gestured for He Sheng to sit down and continued, "The Zhang family's current situation is very awkward and dangerous. Otherwise, Prefect Zhang would not have lowered himself to seek me out twice, a mere young girl."
A fourth-rank prefect might be considered a minor official in the capital, but in Longyou Circuit, in Suzhou, Prefect Zhang was a figure of immense authority, whose stomp could shake this small territory.
"With Prefect Zhang's death, Lord Zhang will have to observe three years of mourning. This strategy of retreating to advance is truly brilliant." Zhan Feiyu had to admire Prefect Zhang's decisiveness. He had used his life to buy the Zhang family a sliver of hope. "Furthermore, with Prefect Zhang's death, if the Zhang family's political enemies still wish to pursue them relentlessly, it would be excessive. After all, Yang Xu must call Prefect Zhang his maternal grandfather, and Assistant Prefect Zhang is his maternal uncle."
Zhan Feiyu knew her own nature; she was cold-blooded and unfeeling. But Yang Xu was different. Even with enmity towards the Zhang family, he still cared for Zhang Yiyi, his birth mother, and had rescued her from prison. Although she was confined in the Zhang family's dark secret chamber, at least she was alive.
Yang Xu was loyal and righteous, and neither Old General Yang nor Uncle Yang were any different. For Yang Xu, they might protect the Zhang family.
He Sheng glanced at Zhan Feiyu and voiced his confusion, "If Prefect Zhang committed suicide, and even dragged down Assistant Prefect Pang, was this a gesture of goodwill towards Scholar Gu?"
The patron behind Assistant Prefect Pang was unknown, possibly a prince in the palace, and their identity was too deeply hidden for even the Forbidden Dragon Guard to investigate easily. However, judging by Qian Shipeng's daring to file a complaint against He Nuan, this prince was definitely an enemy, not a friend, to Zhan Feiyu. Prefect Zhang's sacrifice, by taking down Assistant Prefect Pang, had indirectly helped Zhan Feiyu.
"Likely so. Without contributing to the emperor's rise, even if this prince eventually becomes the crown prince, or even ascends the throne, the credit would fall to Assistant Prefect Pang. It would not be easy for Prefect Zhang to share in it. Moreover, Assistant Prefect Pang has always followed Prefect Zhang's lead over the years. If Assistant Prefect Pang gains power one day, he might even turn against the Zhang family."
It wasn't that Zhan Feiyu was speculating with the worst possible intentions, but Assistant Prefect Pang's subservient obedience to Prefect Zhang was his past dark secret. How could he swallow such resentment? Once he held great power, a slight indication would likely spell the end for the Zhang family.
Prefect Zhang had likely considered this as well, hence he eliminated the potential enemy, Assistant Prefect Pang, beforehand. Furthermore, even if Zhan Feiyu and Scholar Gu did not appreciate it, Lord Zhang Minxian would observe three years of mourning. It was better for the Zhang family to decline than to be wiped out entirely.
...
After completing her homework, Zhan Feiyu slept soundly in her warm bed, assured of a peaceful night's rest.
Meanwhile, those behind the scenes who knew that Assistant Prefect Pang had been imprisoned for murder wished they could rush into the prefectural yamen and revive the stiffened corpse of Prefect Zhang, only to then dismember him a thousand times over, lest their hatred be appeased!
"That scoundrel Zhang Zun!" The enraged voice was squeezed through gritted teeth. In the dimly lit room, the man kicked over a chair with a bang, yet his fury remained unabated.
The subordinate standing by the door dared not speak until the man had vented his frustration. Then, he ventured, "My lord, with Prefect Zhang's death, Lord Yao will surely come to Suzhou Prefecture to investigate. Lord Yao is a trusted confidant of His Majesty. If Pang Xian'an confesses, what are we to do?"
Lord Yao was the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Longyou Circuit. His temperament was equally stern and rigid. At first glance, he seemed as unaccommodating as Assistant Prefect Zhao. However, there was a substantial difference between them. After all, one was a frontier governor, a second-rank official of the court, while the other was merely a fifth-rank assistant prefect.
Lord Yao was favored by the Emperor. It was precisely because he showed no deference to anyone that His Majesty had sent him to Longyou Circuit, also to lay the groundwork for the Emperor to consolidate military power. Furthermore, Lord Yao had accompanied His Majesty on campaigns in the past. It was possible that Assistant Prefect Pang might confess to save his life.
"Send people to the prefectural yamen's prison..." The man stopped mid-sentence, his face darkening as he sat down. Killing Assistant Prefect Pang to silence him was naturally the most secure course of action.
However, the tricky part was, if the Forbidden Dragon Guard were watching from the shadows? Once people were sent, it would be like delivering a live witness, and it would also announce to the world that Assistant Prefect Pang was problematic, hence someone would come to silence him!
But if no one were sent, at the latest, Lord Yao would arrive in Suzhou Prefecture in three days. Accompanying him would undoubtedly be officials from the Judicial and Investigating Circuit, as well as the Commander-in-Chief's office. With a joint trial by the three departments, Pang Xian'an would surely confess everything!
...
"You go down first and arrange the manpower, ready to be deployed at any moment!" the man commanded. After his subordinate left, he pondered for a long time before standing up.
...
The subordinate standing by the door dared not speak until the man had vented his frustration. Then, he ventured, "My lord, with Prefect Zhang's death, Lord Yao will surely come to Suzhou Prefecture to investigate. Lord Yao is a trusted confidant of His Majesty. If Pang Xian'an confesses, what are we to do?"
Lord Yao was the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Longyou Circuit. His temperament was equally stern and rigid. At first glance, he seemed as unaccommodating as Assistant Prefect Zhao. However, there was a substantial difference between them. After all, one was a frontier governor, a second-rank official of the court, while the other was merely a fifth-rank assistant prefect.
Lord Yao was favored by the Emperor. It was precisely because he showed no deference to anyone that His Majesty had sent him to Longyou Circuit, also to lay the groundwork for the Emperor to consolidate military power. Furthermore, Lord Yao had accompanied His Majesty on campaigns in the past. It was possible that Assistant Prefect Pang might confess to save his life.
"Send people to the prefectural yamen's prison..." The man stopped mid-sentence, his face darkening as he sat down. Killing Assistant Prefect Pang to silence him was naturally the most secure course of action.
However, the tricky part was, if the Forbidden Dragon Guard were watching from the shadows? Once people were sent, it would be like delivering a live witness, and it would also announce to the world that Assistant Prefect Pang was problematic, hence someone would come to silence him!
But if no one were sent, at the latest, Lord Yao would arrive in Suzhou Prefecture in three days. Accompanying him would undoubtedly be officials from the Judicial and Investigating Circuit, as well as the Commander-in-Chief's office. With a joint trial by the three departments, Pang Xian'an would surely confess everything!
...