Chapter 9: The Tragedy of the Annihilated Family

“Is the magistrate thinking that those pirates from the Eastern Sea only plunder merchant vessels and occasionally harass coastal villages, and would never dare attack a fortified county city like this one, with its solid walls and ample defenses? Because it would be a losing endeavor, and surely doomed to fail.”

Fang Yue’s words echoed in Magistrate Hu’s ears, as if he had read his mind.

Feeling uneasy, Magistrate Hu replied, “Are you suggesting the pirates truly dare attack the county city? That seems impossible.”

He was somewhat suspicious that Fang Yue might be a lobbyist sent by certain merchants in the county. Ping’an County thrived on maritime trade; many of its people depended on shipping for their livelihood. The pirates’ raids had nearly severed this lifeline for many, leaving them desperate.

Fang Yue said, “It’s already suspicious that the pirates have been gathering off the coast of our Baiquan Prefecture. Now, with our fishing and merchant boats too frightened to venture far, the sea routes are all but cut off. There’s little left for the pirates to steal, yet they linger nearby. What are they waiting for?”

Magistrate Hu’s expression grew serious. Though nicknamed the ‘Confused Magistrate,’ he was no fool.

Fang Yue continued, “Furthermore, a friend of mine, who is engaged in shipping, told me that more and more pirates have been appearing along our coast, which means other pirate bands are converging here. If their numbers reach a certain point… A few hundred pirates attacking the city would be suicide. Even a few thousand would suffer heavy losses and fail. But what if there are ten thousand, or even more?”

Magistrate Hu sprang up from his bamboo chair and paced the courtyard before turning to Fang Yue. “This is only your conjecture.”

In truth, he thought, even if the pirates were to attack a city, it wouldn’t necessarily have to be Ping’an County. The two neighboring counties were wealthier.

He asked, “You sought an audience with me to speak of the pirates. What is your real purpose?”

Fang Yue replied solemnly, “This concerns the lives of all our county’s people. Though I am but a humble licentiate, should I not do what little I can? Otherwise, how could I face my conscience?”

Magistrate Hu eyed him with suspicion.

Seeing this, Fang Yue forced a sheepish smile. “My talents are limited; becoming a licentiate is already my utmost achievement. I hope only to secure a future for myself. And I am a son of this county; if pirates breach the walls and bring ruin, would I alone be spared?”

Magistrate Hu nodded. “You may go. I shall deal with this matter as I see fit.”

“My lord, something terrible has happened!”

At that moment, a yamen runner burst into the private quarters in haste.

Everyone’s faces changed at once; they had just been discussing the pirates, could it be that the attack had begun?

Magistrate Hu’s hands trembled as he struggled to compose himself. “What has you in such a panic?” he barked.

The runner reported, “It’s Master Wang. Someone discovered that his entire household perished overnight. Over sixty souls, including maids and servants, not a single survivor—and their deaths are most bizarre.”

“It’s not pirates attacking the city,” Magistrate Hu sighed in relief, then his eyes widened. “Did you say Master Wang’s entire household—over sixty people—died in one night?”

“Yes. Master Wang’s family is one of the most prominent in the city. Including their maids and servants, more than sixty people, all dead overnight. Yet none of the neighbors heard a thing. It wasn’t until a vegetable seller, who makes a daily delivery, noticed something was wrong this afternoon and reported it that we found out.”

Magistrate Hu’s brow furrowed. Such a massacre under his administration was a grave matter. He did not linger on questions. “Take me there at once!” He hurried out with the yamen runner.

After they left, only Fang Yue and Magistrate Hu’s concubine remained in the courtyard.

Fang Yue glanced at her, and she looked back at him. Their gazes met; her eyes grew softer, more alluring, brimming with a seductive charm.

Fang Yue sensed danger—alone with her, rumors could easily arise.

“The magistrate is busy. I shall take my leave,” he said, turning and departing without a backward glance.

—

In front of the Wang family’s grand residence, a large crowd had gathered.

Fang Yue was among them, having followed at a distance after Magistrate Hu and his retinue left the yamen for the Wang estate.

“The magistrate is here! Make way, make way!”

The yamen runners strained to push the crowd aside, allowing Magistrate Hu to approach the entrance.

“Why are there so many people?” Magistrate Hu asked as he finally reached the door.

A runner answered, “They came for the spectacle. News of the massacre spread, and people rushed to see for themselves. There weren’t as many at first, but the crowd keeps growing.”

“Troublesome rabble,” Magistrate Hu muttered under his breath. He looked up at the closed doors. “Knock for entry.”

“Chief Li, the magistrate is here. Open the gate!”

After several calls, a delayed voice finally responded from within, shouting, “The magistrate is here! Hurry, open up!”

At length, the red doors slowly creaked open.

Chief Li poked his head out, saw Magistrate Hu and his party, and hastily opened the doors wide, bowing low. “Magistrate, you’ve arrived.”

Marching inside, Magistrate Hu barked, “Tell your men to focus on the case. If they’re up to any mischief, I’ll have their hides.”

Though known for confusion in some matters, in others Magistrate Hu was shrewd. He was well aware of what Chief Li’s men might get up to inside.

The Wang family was wiped out, but their considerable wealth remained. Magistrate Hu already regarded it as his to control, and the thought of the constables meddling with his future spoils soured his mood.

“Yes, yes,” Chief Li stammered, not daring to object, trailing after the magistrate and signaling the runners to shut the doors.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd, “Let’s go in and have a look!”

In an instant, hundreds of onlookers surged toward the doors.

The runners panicked, shouting, “What are you doing?”

“We just want to see. I’ve never set foot inside such a grand house in my life.”

“They say the dead inside are in a frightful state—I want a look.”

“More than sixty people, all dead. Let us pay our respects.”

The yamen runners pressed desperately against the doors, shouting, “You’re obstructing official business! You could be arrested and flogged!”

But the crowd was undeterred; with so many, their courage swelled. Had it been just a few, the massacre would have frightened them off, no matter if the gates stood open. But with hundreds, and in broad daylight, who would pass up such a chance for a story to tell?

The doors were forced open by the crowd, knocking a runner to the ground. Fortunately, he fell to the side and avoided a stampede, though he fled in terror, scrambling away.

Inside the courtyards, Magistrate Hu and his attendants reached the forecourt, where dozens of corpses lay in rows upon straw mats, covered in white cloth. They were arranged in three lines, a ghastly, chilling sight.