Chapter 88: Zhang He, Governor of Danyang

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As the commanding shouts echoed through the air, the villagers gathered before the county government office were parted by the guards.

Walking down the path cleared by the guards was none other than a middle-aged man clad in the official robes of a district governor, his eyes sharp and piercing.

If one were unaware of this middle-aged man's background, judging solely by his appearance, it would be utterly impossible to imagine that he could be in league with this Magistrate Zhao before him.

"Young Master, this is Zhang He, the Governor of Danyang." Old Wu whispered softly into Fang Xu's ear, and the corner of Fang Xu's mouth curled slightly upward.

Fang Xu's gaze then settled upon a young attendant standing beside Zhang He. He had seen this attendant here before, for he was the very one who had left early on a previous occasion.

Though there had been many villagers watching earlier, Fang Xu had still noticed this attendant's presence. Why? Naturally, because everything about this attendant's demeanor and bearing was fraught with problems. That was the very reason Fang Xu paid him such attention.

In Fang Xu's view, if his guess was correct—or rather, if matters were truly as Gu Bei had said before—then this attendant's identity became abundantly clear: he was an informant that Zhang He, the Governor of Danyang, had planted here.

One could imagine that the incidents which had occurred earlier likely bore the "contribution" of this district governor as well, no?

After all, Fang Xu did not believe that everyone was greedy for money. As the saying goes, a gentleman loves wealth but acquires it through righteous means. Wealth obtained through such underhanded methods was hardly something one could accept with clear conscience.

Yet why had everyone ultimately accepted the bribes? Naturally, it was because of this district governor's presence.

You see, you might be able to disregard Magistrate Zhao's authority, or even refuse to show face to this Governor of Danyang. Of course, you could even go so far as to snub Zhang He's father, who served as the Chamberlain for Ceremonials, one of the Nine Ministers.

But the one person you absolutely could not snub was Zhang He's master. And who was Zhang He's master? None other than Elder Zhang, the head of all civil officials in the court. Who would dare to disregard Elder Zhang's authority? Those in the court who could afford to slight Elder Zhang were few indeed, and as for those who could—none had yet even been born.

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This was the fundamental reason Magistrate Zhao could be so arrogant. In fact, in Magistrate Zhao's own view, he merely considered Fang Xu to be some scion of a princely or noble family. Otherwise, how could he be accompanied by imperial guards from the palace?

But even if Fang Xu were a princely noble, surely he would not wish to sour relations with Elder Zhang? After all, Elder Zhang was also the undisputed candidate for the position of Prime Minister. Unfortunately for them, Fang Xu was utterly unafraid of such matters.

"Magistrate Zhang! Please, I beg you! This man is a madman!" Magistrate Zhao, whose neck was pressed against by Fang Xu's embroidered spring blade, howled incessantly.

"Fang Xu! Stop this at once!" Zhang He, Governor of Danyang, shouted with displeasure, clearly dissatisfied with Fang Xu's attitude.

In Zhang He's own estimation, everyone who met him was nothing but courteous and respectful. Yet this Fang Xu before him seemed to completely ignore his presence, which unsettled Zhang He somewhat.

But unfortunately, even if Zhang He's father had come, Fang Xu might not have bothered to acknowledge him, let alone the current Zhang He.

"I intend to take his life right now. Surely you don't plan to stop me?" Fang Xu demanded with displeasure, fixing his gaze on Zhang He. This, in turn, left Zhang He stunned.

After all, no one had ever dared to question him in such a manner. Did Fang Xu truly believe that merely having imperial guards by his side made him invincible?

"Do you know who I am?" Zhang He frowned and demanded with irritation. Fang Xu gave him a look usually reserved for imbeciles.

"Zhang He, Governor of Danyang—of course I know who you are." Fang Xu could no longer be bothered to converse with Zhang He, for he wondered whether Zhang He thought himself someone truly extraordinary. Did he believe everyone ought to know who he was? Did he have to be so full of himself?

"Since you know my position, do you still refuse to stop? Do you intend to persist in your wrongdoing?" Zhang He sneered, evidently possessing some inkling of Fang Xu's identity.

But it was merely a sliver of knowledge. Had Zhang He known Fang Xu's true identity, even if Fang Xu lent him the courage, would Zhang He dare to question him with such audacity?

"Persist in wrongdoing? Surely you're not talking about yourself, are you? Governor Zhang?" Fang Xu said with a trace of amusement curling at the corner of his mouth. Still, he withdrew the embroidered spring blade pressed against Magistrate Zhao's neck.

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It was not that Fang Xu feared Zhang He. Rather, in Fang Xu's view, maintaining such a posture was truly exhausting.

As for Magistrate Zhao, once released by Fang Xu, he was swiftly bound up by Old Wu. Seeing Old Wu's actions, Zhang He frowned with displeasure, but said nothing.

After all, Zhang He knew well that imperial guards held the privilege of executing first and reporting afterward. If Fang Xu were pushed too far, he might find some excuse to execute him on the spot—and then what could Zhang He do about it?

Thus, Zhang He did not dare press too hard. Since Fang Xu had released Magistrate Zhao, that was probably sufficient.

"Ahem! Fang Xu, will you not surrender yourself now? Do you still intend to harm a court official? Even if you are of imperial lineage or noble blood, you cannot escape the law of the land!" Zhang He declared with righteous indignation.

But upon hearing Zhang He's words, Fang Xu and Old Wu exchanged glances and looked at him as though he were a fool.

Gu Bei naturally did not dare to openly mock Zhang He, but in his heart, he had already equated Zhang He with an imbecile.

"The law of the land? What law? Are you blind or something?" Fang Xu raised an eyebrow and asked contemptuously.

"Outrageous! Where exactly am I blind? How dare you slander me!" Zhang He bellowed in fury, clearly showing signs of being genuinely rattled.

"Not blind? If you're not blind, then how is it that you cannot see what this Magistrate Zhao has been doing here? Or is it that because he is your favored protégé, you choose to turn a blind eye? Or perhaps you're in league with him?" Fang Xu sneered.

"Absurd! Do not spout nonsense!" Though Zhang He wore a face of righteous indignation, one could still tell that he was beginning to lose his nerve.

After all, just as Fang Xu had said, Zhang He had indeed colluded with Magistrate Zhao, and had reaped no small benefits over the years.

Were it not for these benefits, how could Zhang He have climbed so smoothly and steadily to his current position?

Now, having his weak spot struck upon so suddenly by Fang Xu, cold sweat truly began to bead on Zhang He's brow. Nevertheless, Zhang He forced himself to keep his composure and not falter.