Chapter 90: Hong Chengchou's Double Standards

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Yang He rested briefly, then waited in the main hall of the county government. Yan Zibin attended carefully by his side. Soon, Li Yi arrived accompanied by soldiers, bowing respectfully as he said, “This is the full account of the Battle of Suijin Town, please review it, Your Excellency.” Yang He nodded and quickly read through the detailed report. The document was thorough and well-organized, specifically citing eyewitness and physical evidence—truly comprehensive. Surprised, Yang He looked up at Li Yi. If he had truly won the Battle of Suijin Town, then he was a rare talent, both scholarly and martial. As a newly appointed official keen on selecting capable men, Yang He regarded Li Yi with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Li Yi, have you received formal education?” Yang He asked.

“I have not, Your Excellency. I learned some characters from my fiancée and have practiced writing on my own,” Li Yi replied. Though his literacy was modest, he was able to write adequately, occasionally using simplified characters—those had already appeared in the Song and Ming dynasties, commonly used in vernacular texts and letters, and Yang He recognized them immediately. Hearing Li Yi was self-taught, Yang He showed approval.

Now armed with crucial evidence, Yang He said to Yan Zibin, “Send someone to summon Counselor Hong.” Soon, Hong Chengchou entered calmly. Seeing Li Yi, he showed no surprise and bowed, “Greetings, Governor.”

Yang He handed Hong the report expressionlessly. “Counselor Hong, please review this.”

Hong glanced at Li Yi then read the report. After a moment, he sneered coldly, “Governor, Li Yi harbors ill intent and distorts facts. Such a report is unreliable.”

Yang He did not expect Hong to refuse acknowledgment and retorted coldly, “Counselor Hong, I have seen your official report. Your account of the Battle of Suijin Town differs greatly from Li Yi’s. As Governor overseeing military and civil affairs on the frontier, this matter must be clarified.”

Hong Chengchou was unflinching. “Governor, are you implying I am lying?”

Yang He hesitated briefly, uncertain. Hong then stood, exuding authority as he fixed Li Yi with a stern gaze. “I was tasked with organizing grain supplies to aid disaster victims and support the war effort. The outcome of the Battle of Suijin Town is irrelevant to me. Li Yi, of humble origins and cunning mind, is not to be trusted. Governor, be cautious not to be deceived by such a man.”

Yang He raised his hands in protest, struggling to reply, “Counselor Hong, isn’t this matter currently under investigation?”

Hong sneered, “If you believe such nonsense, Governor, I have nothing more to say—do as you will.”

Hong’s tactic of retreating to advance cornered Yang He. He could neither accuse nor let Hong go unchallenged. Li Yi observed clearly: Hong’s methods were forceful while Yang He seemed weak and was being pressed down.

“Governor, I am but a lowly subordinate. If Counselor Hong doubts me, then summon Shi Kefa—he knows the full story,” Li Yi suggested.

Yang He steadied himself and sent a messenger to summon Shi Kefa. But soon, the messenger returned with a report: “The Judicial Commissioner said Shi Kefa’s case is deeply entangled and he cannot appear.”

Yang He slammed the table in anger. “I am merely questioning. How can Commissioner Liu obstruct me?”

The messenger trembled, “Governor, the Commissioner says Shi Kefa is on imperial patrol and not under the governor’s jurisdiction.”

That single sentence drained Yang He of strength and he sank into his seat. Indeed, although the Judicial Commissioner ranked only seventh grade, his superior was the Censorate, directly under the Emperor. Even a high-ranking official like Yang He could not overrule that.

Hong Chengchou sat calmly. “Governor, if you wish to investigate, I will cooperate. When the Tartars invaded south, I deployed supply overseers and troops to guard Suijin Town. They repelled the vanguard but were defeated by the main force. If you wish to question, I can summon those supply guards.”

These supply troops were under Hong’s command, so their testimony was naturally biased. Yang He remained silent.

Hong’s voice rose, “If the Governor still doubts, the city patrol soldiers saw Tartar cavalry with torches near Mizhi County, setting fire to granaries. This is common knowledge. You may investigate.”

Standing, Hong declared with great vigor, “If you still do not believe, question the refugees who fled Suijin Town, the garrison soldiers, or visit the town yourself. I serve the nation wholeheartedly, yet am slandered and disturbed before you, Governor. If you cannot clear my name today, I will resign.”

Hong held the critical responsibility of provisioning grain. Forcing him to resign at the start of Yang He’s tenure would surely displease the court.

Within the county hall, Yang He’s expression was stern, his small eyes fixed intently on Hong. Hong stared back boldly, unafraid. Li Yi, standing aside, silently admired Hong’s prowess. Truly, a pillar of the Ming and a revered strategist for the Qing.

Hong had not only detained the key witness Shi Kefa via Liu Zhongzhou but also manipulated the supply and garrison soldiers and refugees to alter their testimonies. Even if Yang He pressed investigations, obstacles abounded.

Even if the truth emerged, Hong could resign in anger, giving Yang He no chance to act. Such intricate scheming left the frontier governor powerless.

Indeed, Yang He’s initial plan to pressure Hong and seize the grain was now in a dilemma.

For some reason, he glanced at Li Yi, who remained calm and unflustered.

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Yang He, unsettled, immediately asked, “Li Yi, do you accept what Counselor Hong says?”

Li Yi bowed, “Governor, I believe Counselor Hong’s words to be truthful.”

“Li Yi…” Yang He exclaimed in disbelief, “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Counselor Hong says supply and garrison soldiers admit the Tartars broke through Suijin Town. I think he is telling the truth,” Li Yi bowed again. “But since this is an investigation, testimony must be sworn. May I request Counselor Hong to summon these witnesses to present their accounts and swear to their statements?”

Hong frowned. Yang He did not understand why Li Yi insisted on this extra step. If Hong said so, he had surely bribed them.

Yet seeing Li Yi’s resolute expression, Yang He nodded. “Please, Counselor Hong, bring the witnesses.”

Hong agreed and sent men to fetch them.

The supply troops arrived swiftly. Five soldiers glanced nervously at Li Yi, then shifted their gaze to the floor and recounted the battle. Their story matched the earlier official account exactly until the defenses caught fire, the troops fled, and the Tartars pursued for miles, inflicting heavy casualties. They had narrowly escaped and saw the Tartars advancing toward Mizhi County.

The patrol soldiers and militia who followed said they saw Tartar cavalry burning granaries outside the city.

Their testimonies were similar: the Tartars had broken Suijin Town’s defenses and approached Mizhi County.

Hong remained calm, knowing these testimonies were prearranged. He doubted Li Yi would find flaws.

With Hong’s orchestration, Li Yi found no contradictions. He paid little heed to the witnesses.

After the witnesses swore, Li Yi calmly asked Hong, “Counselor, you did not go to Suijin Town. How did you learn the battle details?”

Hong’s face darkened. “That is none of your concern.”

Li Yi bowed, “Governor, please ask Counselor Hong for me.”

Yang He’s spirits lifted. He was somewhat overwhelmed by Hong’s presence but with Li Yi’s support, he could speak.

“Counselor Hong, how did you learn the battle details?”

Though Li Yi was a low-ranked official, Hong could not ignore the governor’s question.

“I learned from the supply and garrison soldiers’ accounts,” Hong replied.

Li Yi nodded. “Then, Counselor, do you suspect these soldiers might be lying?”

“Lying?” Hong’s expression stiffened as he eyed Li Yi.

He had fabricated these accounts himself; of course he knew if they were true or not. But he could not admit that.

He shook his head, “There is no reason for them to deceive me.”

Yang He looked puzzled, unsure what Li Yi was planning.

Li Yi shrugged, “That’s the point. You trust their account. But if another group of supply and garrison soldiers came forward with a different version, which would you believe? Or do you only believe what you want to?”

“How dare you!” Hong exploded, waving his hand sharply. “These are baseless accusations. Military affairs are no place for reckless words!”

“Counselor, is what I say impossible?” Li Yi stared intently.

Hong was momentarily taken aback and fell silent.

Yang He felt emboldened.

“Counselor Hong, please answer this question,” Yang insisted.

Hong studied Li Yi thoughtfully, then said, “If so, we must distinguish truth from falsehood.”

He snorted, “But unfortunately, no such thing has occurred.”

Li Yi smiled mischievously, “That may not be so.”

Hong looked at Li Yi’s sly grin and felt a bad premonition.

Suddenly, drums sounded outside.

A court messenger rushed in, kneeling. “Your Excellencies, someone is beating the drum to declare an injustice.”

In ancient times, complaints were either filed formally or by beating the drum. The latter meant the grievance was urgent and unbearable.

Beating the drum risked thirty lashes regardless of justice, but officials would investigate.

Yang He glanced at Li Yi and called out, “Who is drumming?”

“Reporting, Your Excellency. It is the garrison soldiers,” the messenger replied.

Hong’s face changed, and Yan Zibin’s legs weakened. Both looked at Li Yi.

No wonder Li Yi acted strangely before—it was to set this up.

Yang He smiled and nodded. “Bring them in.”

Several fearless garrison soldiers marched in proudly but immediately trembled on seeing the high-ranking official and collapsed to their knees.

“Who are you?” Yang asked.

“We are soldiers under Captain Lei Xiaoqi of Mizhi County’s garrison, greeting Your Excellency,” they said, kowtowing repeatedly.

Yang looked at Hong, whose face was grim, and asked, “Why did you beat the drum?”

The soldiers gritted their teeth and declared, “We won the battle and killed Tartars, but our officers refused to recommend us for rewards. Hearing the Governor is here, we came to seek justice.”

Hong’s face turned pale, eyes cold and murderous as he stared at Li Yi.

Li Yi smiled calmly, bowing slightly.

To uphold one lie, more lies must be woven.

Li Yi did not intend to expose Hong’s falsehoods; his goal was to muddy the waters and reveal the truth.

Guided by Yang He, the soldiers recounted the battle again.

Yang understood Li Yi’s plan.

He looked at Hong and stroked his beard. “Counselor Hong, these garrison soldiers’ accounts differ from the previous ones.”

Hong’s face darkened with embarrassment. “They are unreliable.”

“Why unreliable?”

Hong thought a moment. “They may have been bribed to confuse the issue.”

Li Yi smiled faintly. “Counselor, the first group is truthful, but these drumming garrison soldiers are bribed? Double standard?”

Hong’s face blackened.

“They claim battle honors, but the Ming dynasty awards merit by heads taken. Where are the trophies?”

“They are outside,” one soldier shouted. “We dared not bring them in for fear of frightening Your Excellencies.”

Hong paused, then said, “In several engagements, some Tartar heads are expected. But this does not prove victory.”

“We brought more than four hundred heads,” the soldiers declared.

Hong’s face changed drastically.

Yang’s breath quickened.

Over four hundred Tartar heads? Even the renowned Chenghua campaigns yielded only a few hundred heads despite many victories.

The number of heads does not equal enemies killed, as Mongols were often carried off by comrades after death. Thus, even after victories, few heads were captured.

Since the Ming awarded merit by heads, each was carefully examined to prevent fraud, so few trophies were collected.

Yet, in this battle, over four hundred heads were taken—a major victory.

“Nonsense! All the Tartar bodies were burned in the fire. How could so many heads appear?” Hong said coldly.

The soldiers raised their heads. “It was Inspector Li who ordered the bodies burned to prevent plague. Those bodies were of massacred civilians; Tartar bodies were hidden.”

Hearing this, Hong realized the bodies he saw were civilians’.

Li Yi had anticipated this and concealed the Tartar bodies.

“Governor, the heads should not be brought inside the government office. Let us go out and verify them,” Li Yi suggested promptly.

“Indeed, Li Yi speaks reasonably,” Yang said, rising to leave the hall.

Hong followed, coldly watching Li Yi. “Li Yi, I did not expect you to be so prepared.”

Li Yi bowed. “Counselor, at Suijin Town, all hoped for your support, but none came. Had you sent garrison soldiers south, many lives could have been spared.”

Hong’s face darkened, snorted coldly, and fell silent as they walked outside.

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