When Zhu Pingan heard the onlookers leave with the feeling of cherishing family and solidarity, he smiled. This case can play a role in educating the people, and his efforts are not in vain.
The onlookers left the county government office one after another. Some of them had not yet walked out of the government office when they saw a group of three people on horseback rushing into the government office. The people passing by tried to avoid being hit by the horses.
The three riders were none other than Xiao Congzi, the young eunuch sent by Eunuch Qian to the Jingnan County Court. Xiao Congzi led two dismissed clerks and rode their horses recklessly to the outside of the hall without even dismounting.
"Zhu Ping'an, the magistrate of Jingnan County, is here. Hurry up and bring the Jingnan County Chronicles with you to the posthouse to pay respect to Eunuch Qian."
The young eunuch Xiao Congzi sat upright on the horse's back, holding the whip arrogantly, pointing at the court, and shouting in a shrill hoarse voice.
Who is this? What's his background?!
How dare he break into the county government office and boss the county magistrate around?! The people who had not yet left the county government office were stunned when they saw this.
Zhu Ping'an was checking the trial records in the court when he heard a panicked noise outside. Then he saw three riders rushing towards the court. Leading the way was a young man in grey eunuch clothes. Behind him were two people Zhu Ping'an recognized. They were the two clerks he had dismissed from their posts.
Then, Zhu Ping'an heard the young man in gray eunuch clothes giving him orders in a haughty manner.
It's Eunuch Qian again?!
When the monk and nun case was being tried before, he asked me to bring the local gentry to the city gate to welcome Eunuch Qian!
Now he ordered me to bring the county annals to the post station to pay a visit to Eunuch Qian!
What kind of person is Eunuch Qian!
I have so much important official business to deal with and tens of thousands of Jingnan people are waiting for me, so how can I have the time to pay a visit to the eunuch!
"Who are you? Who is Eunuch Qian? Do you have any proof of identity?" Zhu Ping'an frowned and asked word by word, "You ordered me to present the county annals to you. Do you have any official documents, decrees, or orders from above? Present them to me."
"You are Zhu Ping'an?! Don't dawdle! Hurry up, bring the Jingnan County Chronicles, and go to the posthouse with me to pay a visit to Eunuch Qian."
Xiao Congzi pointed at Zhu Ping'an with his whip and urged him impatiently, ignoring all Zhu Ping'an's questions.
Eunuch Qian came to your Jingnan, and you dared not to go to the city gate to organize a welcome! Since leaving the capital, which local official dared to treat him so lightly! I want to vent this anger for Eunuch Qian. When this scene reaches Eunuch Qian's ears, Eunuch Qian will also praise me for my ability to do things and say a few good words for me in front of Eunuch Chen. Maybe, when I return to the capital, I will have the opportunity to change a few good jobs.
With this in mind, Xiao Congzi was very rude to Zhu Ping'an and was very arrogant.
Oh shit!
I have never seen such an arrogant little eunuch in Xiyuan!
Zhu Ping'an couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, looking at the arrogant eunuch outside the court with interest, pulling down the corner of his mouth, and said in a warning tone, "I'll give you one more chance. Answer my questions, present your identity certificate, official documents and decrees..."
"I will give you one more chance. Hurry up and bring the county annals with you and follow me to meet Eunuch Qian! If you dare to procrastinate again, I will report it to Eunuch Qian and make sure you pay the price!"
Xiao Congzi pointed a horsewhip at Zhu Ping'an, issued a tit-for-tat warning, and threatened to report to Eunuch Qian for punishment.
Since leaving Beijing, local officials everywhere have treated them like gods, flattering them, even the prefects are no exception, Xiao Congzi and his party have been spoiled and have long been arrogant. Zhu Ping'an, a small seventh-rank magistrate, he really didn't take it seriously.
"One, you have no official documents, two, no orders from the superiors, three, no registered communications, and four, no drums to complain. You rode your horses into the county government office without permission and disturbed the court... ... Come with me to capture these three people and give them thirty lashes to serve as a warning to others!"
Zhu Ping'an said no more nonsense, drew out a warrant stick and threw it in the hall, then gave orders to the yamen runners on both sides.
"Yes, sir."
Liu Dadao and others had long disliked Xiao Congzi and his group. Holding their killing sticks and grinning, they walked towards them.
"Zhu Ping'an, if you dare to touch me, just try! I was sent by Eunuch Qian... ... You should look at the owner before beating a dog. If you hit me, you are hitting Eunuch Qian's face. Do you not want to be the county magistrate anymore?!"
When Xiao Congzi saw that Zhu Ping'an was serious, she screamed in fear and started threatening with her teeth and claws.
"Master Zhu, Eunuch Qian is an imperial envoy, and his godfather is Eunuch Chen, the imperial stable supervisor. We advise Master Zhu not to make mistakes and ruin his future!" The two dismissed clerks also became anxious when they saw this. They shouted.
"If the emperor breaks the law, he will be punished the same as the common people, let alone you!" Zhu Ping'an curled his lips and ignored him.
Liu Dadao and others didn't say a word and pulled Xiao Congzi and the other three off their horses.
During this period, Xiao Congzi wanted to whip the horse whip to resist, but in front of Liu Dadao and others who had experienced life-and-death battles, his behavior was as ridiculous as a child playing house. Liu Dadao grabbed the whip with one hand and pulled him down with one hand.
By the time Xiao Congzi reacted, he had already been pinned to the ground by Liu Dadao and others, his pants had been pulled down, and the arrangements were clear.
Snap! Snap!
Liu Dadao and others who were unhappy with Xiao Congzi showed no mercy and swung the killing sticks in their hands, beating Xiao Congzi and three others with thirty lashes until they cried for their parents and screamed like pigs being slaughtered.
The crowd applauded. You are not allowed to trespass into the county government office, you are allowed to roar in the court, you are allowed to ride horses blindly in the crowd, you are allowed to be arrogant and proud, and the county magistrate will punish you!
"Ouch, it hurts so much... Zhu Ping'an, you are just a small seventh-rank official, and you dare to hit me. I tell you, you are done for! Eunuch Qian will never let you go!"
After being beaten with a stick, Xiao Congzi burst into tears in pain. Before he even got up from the ground, he pinched his fingers and cried to Zhu Ping'an.
"County Master, this grandson actually dared to disrespect you. Let's loosen his muscles and bones and teach him a lesson."
Seeing that Xiao Congzi was still so arrogant, the bailiff raised his killing stick and asked Zhu Pingan for instructions.
Zhu Ping'an waved his hand and ordered, "Expel them from the county government office."
Liu Dadao and others picked up Xiao Congzi and the other two like they were chicks, and carried them out of the county government office.
"Zhu Ping'an, don't refuse a toast and drink a forfeit. Bring the county annals and go to Eunuch Qian with me to beg for forgiveness and admit your mistakes. You still have a chance."
While being dragged out of the county government office, Xiao Congzi struggled and shouted at Zhu Pingan at the top of his voice.
"I just love to drink the wine as punishment." Zhu Ping'an curled his lips in disdain.
"Good! Good! You just wait for me! Liu Dianli from the posthouse refused to accept the toast and was hung up and whipped. Now he is like a dead dog. I want to see what happens to you, Zhu Ping'an!"
As Xiao Congzi was about to be dragged out of the county government office, he struggled and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"What did you say!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ping'an instantly became furious!