Chapter 8: The Doorkeeper and the County Magistrate (Part Two)

"What a parasite."

Fang Yue stood in the clerk's room, unable to quell his indignation. It was merely a gatekeeper, yet the man dared to make things difficult at every turn, forcing Fang Yue to resort to tricks just to get through. Whose influence was he relying on? Fang Yue glanced silently toward the inner residence, saying nothing.

After quite some time, the gatekeeper finally returned from the back. "The master will see you now. Don't forget the favor you promised me," he reminded.

Fang Yue ignored him, straightened his garments, and headed toward the inner residence. Leaving the clerk's room, passing through the main entrance, he arrived at the second hall—a place where the county magistrate handled affairs. Compared to the imposing atmosphere of the grand hall, the second hall was noticeably more tranquil.

Beyond the second hall lay the private quarters, the county magistrate's living space. Entering, Fang Yue found Magistrate Hu reclining on a bamboo rattan chair, a beautiful woman beside him gently massaging his shoulders.

Fang Yue hesitated for a moment, recalling the nickname whispered among the people of Ping'an County: "the muddled magistrate." Magistrate Hu had only been in office a few months and had already earned such a title—his character was plain to see. Upon this first meeting, Fang Yue found the nickname well deserved.

Fang Yue's gaze lingered on the enchanting woman. Her beauty was alluring, with a hint of pitiable vulnerability. Her lotus-colored gauzy dress revealed a tantalizing glimpse of pale skin.

"Rumor has it Magistrate Hu recently took a new concubine. This must be her," Fang Yue mused.

Just then, the woman noticed his footsteps and looked at Fang Yue, her limpid eyes lingering with interest on his handsome face.

Fang Yue felt a prickling on his scalp—this was the magistrate's concubine, and the county magistrate, known as the "lord of a hundred miles," wielded absolute power within the county. The saying "the prefect destroys families, the magistrate ruins homes" was no mere jest.

He quickly averted his gaze, keeping his eyes forward as he approached the bamboo rattan chair.

"Student Fang Yue pays his respects to the honorable county magistrate."

Upon hearing his voice, Magistrate Hu finally sat up from the chair.

This was a middle-aged man with fish-like, bulging eyes and dark circles, bearing a certain resemblance to the gatekeeper outside.

It was common for officials to bring their clansmen when taking posts in other regions. The gatekeeper had come with Magistrate Hu to Ping'an County—likely a kinsman, hence the similar features.

"You are the scholar Fang Yue of this county. Speak—what business have you with me?" Magistrate Hu assumed a grand manner, managing a semblance of authority. He had already read Fang Yue's visiting card: not a renowned scholar, nor the son of a prominent family.

He had little interest in seeing Fang Yue, but the gatekeeper hinted that the scholar brought gifts. Magistrate Hu, in a good mood, agreed to meet him.

The gatekeeper had briefly mentioned Fang Yue came about the issue of East Sea pirates, but neither he nor Magistrate Hu paid much heed.

When Magistrate Hu saw the two parcels of medicine in Fang Yue's hands, his eyes brightened, and his tone softened considerably. Smiling, he said, "You needn't have brought anything, but you people always worry about my health. Be assured, I am not one to accept precious items like ginseng and lingzhi."

With that, he naturally stretched out his hand to receive the parcels.

Just like the gatekeeper outside, Fang Yue thought with resignation.

"These are poisons," Fang Yue replied calmly.

Magistrate Hu recoiled in shock, instantly withdrawing his hand. "What are you doing with poison?" he demanded, alarmed.

Fang Yue spoke solemnly, "Your honor, disaster is upon you."

Magistrate Hu's face changed dramatically, fear written all over it, ready to cry out for help.

Fang Yue realized he'd gone too far and quickly added, "But there are ways to avert it. Your honor, are you aware of the recent troubles with the East Sea pirates?"

Seeing Fang Yue wasn't about to stage some desperate act, Magistrate Hu realized he'd overreacted, especially with his beloved concubine present. His expression soured and he barked, "Fang Yue, what are you trying to say? Do you know the consequences of making a fool of an official?"

His rebuke carried the authority of a "lord of a hundred miles." Years in office had given even a muddled magistrate some presence.

Fang Yue felt a twinge of anxiety; the official was strong, he weak. Magistrate Hu held Fang Yue’s fate in his hands, able to affect not just his reputation but his very life.

Though Fang Yue's status as a scholar offered some protection, he knew if he angered the magistrate, the consequences could be dire. Still, having discerned Magistrate Hu's nature, Fang Yue felt confident—what mattered was striking the right balance.

"May I ask, your honor," Fang Yue said gravely, "if one day the East Sea pirates stormed into Ping'an County, pillaging and burning, what would you do?"

Magistrate Hu had no chance to respond before Fang Yue continued urgently, "With your noble character, steadfast as pine in frost, naturally you would stand with the city to the end. But what of your family? What of your lady beside you—so lovely she outshines flowers, a veritable goddess—"

Fang Yue glanced at Magistrate Hu's concubine, who was seated beside him, leaning forward slightly. Standing, Fang Yue had a commanding view of her dazzling, snow-like skin.

He quickly looked away. "If she fell into the hands of those brutish, wicked pirates—arms thicker than most men's thighs, thighs like barrels, months at sea without bathing, reeking with foul stench—what fate would await her? And your hard-earned savings, the fruits of your thrift—after your heroic sacrifice, who would benefit from them?"

"And what do you suggest?" Magistrate Hu's concubine asked, her face showing fear—clearly shaken by Fang Yue's depiction of the pirates.

Fang Yue lifted the medicine parcels, his expression grave. "Rather than suffer at the hands of the pirates, enduring torment worse than death, it's better to be prepared. If the worst comes to pass, one parcel taken internally preserves your honor and is a worthy tribute to the magistrate's sacrifice."

The concubine turned pale, clutching Magistrate Hu's arm, on the verge of tears. "Master, is what he says true? It's terrifying—I don't want to be captured by pirates or forced to take poison."

Fang Yue kept mentioning sacrifice, poison, and dying with honor. Magistrate Hu, hearing this, felt uneasy himself; he, too, feared death. Yet, unlike his simple-minded concubine, he was not easily swayed and rebuked, "You scholar, what nonsense are you talking?"

The East Sea pirates had recently been harassing the coastal areas near Baiquan Prefecture, disrupting sea trade. Merchants in Ping'an County had complained to Magistrate Hu—he was well aware.

But the pirates mostly attacked ships at sea, rarely venturing inland. Affairs at sea fell under the navy, not the county yamen; Magistrate Hu would not trouble himself with matters beyond his jurisdiction. "Better fewer troubles than more"—that was one of his guiding principles.

As for the notion that the pirates would invade the city, Magistrate Hu would never believe it.