Chapter 49: Pardon

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Zhang Yaozuo looked at Su Ze and said, "The decree from His Majesty was given to you as a last resort when you can't get things done, not something to be used before you even assume office."
Zhang Yaozuo spoke earnestly, "Su Lang, there’s no rush to use His Majesty’s favor. Save it for when you truly encounter difficulties."
Su Ze replied, "Uncle, there is one matter I must petition His Majesty for in order to properly handle the affairs of the shop and estate."
Seeing Su Ze’s stubbornness, Zhang Yaozuo could only wave his sleeve and say, "Write down the matters you intend to address in a memorial. I will present it to His Majesty when I enter the palace."
Su Ze thanked Zhang Yaozuo and continued, "Uncle, since His Majesty has already appointed me, it’s no longer appropriate for me to stay in your home. A few days ago, I went to the Kaifeng Prefecture to return the payment for the house I sold. The little courtyard has been returned, and I plan to move back."
Hearing this, Zhang Yaozuo felt a bit reluctant.
Having Su Ze stay at his home this past month had brought much liveliness.
Moreover, Su Ze’s abilities in civil administration were formidable—problems Zhang Yaozuo faced at the Drum Office were quickly solved by Su Ze.
Zhang Yaozuo even brought some official business home for Su Ze to help resolve.
Thanks to Su Ze’s analysis of the personnel intrigues within the Drum Office, Zhang Yaozuo understood the schemes among his subordinates and, by deftly applying both kindness and authority, finally took full control of the office.
This was the most comfortable time Zhang Yaozuo had ever enjoyed since becoming an official.
He awkwardly said, "What’s so good about that little courtyard? There are plenty of vacant rooms in the mansion. Just stay here for now."
Su Ze replied, "After I take office, it won’t be proper to stay at your home. If it causes any accusations from the censors and affects your career, that wouldn’t be good."
"I’ll miss the books in your home as well and will visit often."
Zhang Yaozuo stroked his beard, pleased with Su Ze’s attitude. At worst, he could leave difficult matters for Su Ze to consult on during visits.
He said, "Your courtyard is dilapidated and unattended. I’ll discuss with your future father-in-law about decorating it. You won’t take office for another month anyway, so there’s no rush."
Having said this, if Su Ze still refused, he would be ungrateful. Su Ze once again expressed his gratitude.

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Back at the mansion, Zhang Yaozuo hurried off to the palace to pay respects. Su Ze returned indoors and once more entered his Peach Blossom Spring.
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In the Supreme Court’s prison, a disheveled middle-aged man sat on the straw.
This man was covered in scars, his eyes vacant as he stared at the nearby cells. He was Feng Shiyuan, the head of the shop and estate guild who had purchased Su Ze’s house.
After the incident, the Imperial City Department immediately arrested Feng Shiyuan. Yet despite being imprisoned, Feng stubbornly refused to confess, taking all responsibility upon himself.
Unfortunately, though his lips were sealed, the evidence and witnesses against him were overwhelming.
Meanwhile, several officials such as Lü Gongbi arrested and brought to the Supreme Court confessed within an hour.
The irony was that these officials all held government positions. Their verdicts came swiftly: Lü Gongbi was disgraced and stripped of his status, while the others lost their posts and were sent back to their hometowns.
All these officials were released, except Feng Shiyuan, who remained in the prison.
What fate awaited him?
Execution after the autumn trials? Exile to Yazhou? Or banishment to the northwest?
Feng was pessimistic; even if spared death, he doubted he would survive to reach exile because of the many secrets he carried.
The only comfort was that after his previous exile, Feng had foreseen this day and changed his family’s names, sending them out of Kaifeng to avoid implicating them.
Should he just end it himself?
Yet Feng was unwilling to give up. He remembered Lü Gongbi’s harsh scolding after imprisonment—these officials blamed Feng for betraying them.
He also recalled the bitter hatred in Lü Gongbi’s eyes upon release.
At that moment, the prison door suddenly opened, followed by the sound of many footsteps.
Feng lifted his head and recognized the visitor: a middle-aged official in a blue robe—Inspector Bao Zheng, the case’s lead investigator.
It was Bao Zheng who had stopped the Imperial City Department from torturing him and sent for medical treatment.
Unlike those scholar-officials who treated commoners like grass, Bao was a just and impartial magistrate—a rare good official Feng had not seen for many years.
"Inspector Bao,"
Feng stood and saluted.
Bao Zheng said coldly, "By imperial decree, Feng Shiyuan is pardoned and appointed as the shop and estate enforcement officer. You will take office in one month."

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Feng was stunned as the prison gates opened and several guards came forward to remove his chains.
Bao said to him, "The newly appointed shop and estate specialist officer, Su Ze, petitioned His Majesty for your pardon."
"Su Ze currently resides at Lord Zhang’s home, the supervisor of the Drum Office. Visit him after your release."
"The court intends to have Su Ze reform the shop and estate affairs, and you must assist diligently. Should any misconduct occur again, I will be watching from the Censorate. Take care."
Having said this, Bao turned and left.
Feng felt as if dreaming as the guards urged him to leave the prison.
Su Ze?
He recalled the young scholar from the shabby courtyard who had petitioned for his pardon and made him the shop and estate enforcement officer.
Having once served in the Kaifeng Prefecture and as head of the shop guild, Feng knew well the position of shop and estate enforcement officer: a clerk responsible for the capital’s shop and estate affairs. Though not high in rank, the position wielded considerable power, second only to three senior officials in the entire shop and estate system.
Filled with questions, Feng wished to ask Su Ze why he sought the pardon.
Smelling his own stench, he decided to clean himself first before visiting Su Ze.
By evening, Feng arrived at Zhang Yaozuo’s mansion.
He covered his face with a scarf and handed his visiting card to the doorman, anxiously awaiting a response.
After a while, Su Ze emerged from the mansion and greeted Feng warmly, "With your help, Feng, the shop and estate affairs will surely be resolved!"
Feng was both awed and fearful. He said, "Su Specialist, you sought His Majesty’s pardon for a criminal like me. I am forever grateful, but I am but a lowly sinner. How can I assist you in reforming the shop and estate affairs?"
Su Ze grasped Feng’s arm and said, "Among all in Kaifeng, none knows the shop and estate matters better than you. With your assistance, we can fulfill His Majesty’s expectations and reverse the losses."
"Come inside quickly. Today, Feng, you must thoroughly explain the problems within the shop and estate system!"