BXG - 22

◎ Rules ◎

Zhou Tan sipped a cup of light tea at his side. He had added a bit too much tea leaf, making it slightly bitter.

Liang An bowed deeply before him, his posture exceedingly respectful. “Lord Zhou, the person who beat the drum is an attendant from the Front Temple of Dianxing Temple, surnamed Yan. He wishes to accuse…accuse Lord Peng Yue, the Fourth-Rank Official and Minister of Dianxing Temple, of arson and murder.”

He stammered, cold sweat dripping down his temples. Peng Yue had clearly stated that Yan Wuping was already dead—so how could this be?

“The charge is arson and manslaughter.”

After finishing his sentence, Liang An abruptly raised his head. “Lord Zhou, this individual is merely a low-ranking official in Dianxing Temple, and his household registration isn’t even in Bianjing. Yet he insists on demanding a public trial. Should we…should we dismiss the complaint?”

Liang An was much older than Zhou Tan and had spent far more time in the Ministry of Justice, always bowing and scraping for younger officials. Though resentful, he remained cautious after the incident at Zhou’s residence, fearing retaliation. Now, he was even more deferential than before.

Liang An felt a dull ache in his lower back but dared not straighten up.

He still vividly remembered the major cases Zhou Tan handled when he first joined the Ministry of Justice. Though labeled as old unresolved cases, everyone knew why they had been shelved for so long. Yet Zhou Tan showed no fear, swiftly gathering evidence and overturning verdicts. Within a month, he dealt with three officials ranked fifth-class or higher, shocking both court and commoners alike.

The emperor, having personally granted Zhou Tan authority, turned a blind eye to his actions. Only later, while conducting investigations, did Liang An discover that those officials had recently impeached Gu Zhiyan during the Rancui Pavilion case.

How could someone as vengeful and ruthless as Zhou Tan possibly let him off easily?

For a long while, there was no response. Just as Liang An thought his back might go numb, Zhou Tan finally set down his teacup and said indifferently, “Is that so?”

He rose and walked past Liang An. As he pushed open the door, he asked, “Lord Liang, what are the rules regarding those who strike the drum of the Ministry of Justice?”

“What are the requirements for striking the drum?”

Qu You and Bai Ying had struggled for quite some time just to squeeze their way to the front of the crowd.

The front courtyard of the Ministry of Justice faced Imperial City Street, which connected to Bian River Avenue—a bustling area where people gathered quickly upon hearing the sound of the drum. By now, the entrance was completely packed.

According to law, anyone beating the drum signaled a grievance too urgent to ignore, necessitating a public trial.

But if that were true, wouldn’t every victim of any case demand a public trial?

Qu You asked aloud, prompting someone nearby to eagerly explain, “Young master must not be from Bianjing. You may not know, but not just anyone can strike the drum of the Ministry of Justice.”

Most spectators were scholars and students, though a few idle rich folk were also present. Bai Ying had somehow struck up a conversation with one such gentleman, happily munching on sunflower seeds.

Another person addressed Qu You: “Though not explicitly written into our laws, there are unwritten rules within the Ministry of Justice. The striker must either be a government official or their relative, own property worth at least fifty taels of silver, and the accusation must involve a homicide.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. There have been previous cases where strikers didn’t meet these criteria. Their complaints were dismissed, and they were publicly whipped fifty times as a warning. No one dares act recklessly.”

Officials, wealth, murders.

What a coincidence—all three conditions were met.

Qu You thought about the look in Yan Wuping’s eyes when she left Fangxin Pavilion days ago. It seemed clear that she and Zhou Tan had conspired; her staged death allowed her to reappear now, adding fuel to the fire.

Yan Wuping held the drumstick, striking the towering drum of the Ministry of Justice three resounding times. Stepping back, she knelt and raised the petition high, declaring loudly, “I am Yan Wuping, an attendant of Dianxing Temple, involved in the fatal fall incident at Fanlou half a month ago. I should have awaited my trial, but knowing secrets of Lord Peng Yue, Minister of Dianxing Temple, I was targeted by him. His arson nearly killed me. Both witnesses and evidence exist. I humbly request a public trial by the Ministry of Justice!”

Many spectators who had just arrived began discussing animatedly. Standing on tiptoe, Qu You scanned the scene, then tugged at Bai Ying, who was engrossed in conversation. “Find a child to run to Fangxin Pavilion. Remind them that if any girls plan to come, ensure Boss Ai sends extra guards.”

Bai Ying quickly found a young beggar among the crowd—these children mostly lived in North Street under Boss Ai’s protection, often roaming the streets, perfect messengers. Handing over a silver ingot, the delighted child ran off. Bai Ying sighed, pocketing his purse, and whispered, “How do you know someone will come?”

“She didn’t bring witnesses,” Qu You replied. “I suspect the witness will be one of the ladies from Fangxin Pavilion. They’ll surely summon her during the public trial. Boss Ai has kept tight security until now. Today, especially, they need to be careful en route.”

No sooner had she spoken than the crowd fell silent. Two black-clad guards emerged from the inner gate of the front courtyard, carrying a carved rosewood table. Zhou Tan followed behind them.

Under the sunlight, the vermilion robe of the Ministry of Justice deepened to a crimson hue. Zhou Tan descended the high steps of the Ministry’s inner hall, one hand holding back his slightly wide sleeve. A jade belt cinched his slender waist, adorned with a scholar’s sword and a gilded brocade pouch shaped like a golden fish.

Though young, no one dared underestimate him.

His appearance silenced the crowd. Outside the throng, Qu You could only hear women murmuring admiration, interspersed with comments like, “This is Lord Zhou” and “He doesn’t seem like the rumors suggest.”

Zhou Tan approached the drum, casually glancing at the crowd. Qu You felt his gaze linger briefly on her before shifting to Yan Wuping.

Perhaps it was just her imagination.

“Who stands below?”

Yan Wuping knelt and kowtowed, repeating her earlier explanation. Just as Zhou Tan began to speak, a hurried voice interrupted: “Wait a moment.”

Liang An rushed out, disregarding propriety. Smiling apologetically, his tone carried a hint of threat. “Lord Zhou, I mean no offense, but whether this person qualifies to strike the drum remains uncertain. Neither the Prefect of Jingdu nor the Minister of Dianxing Temple is here yet. We cannot break protocol…”

Someone in the crowd couldn’t resist objecting, prompting guards to block the entrance. Arms crossed, Qu You spoke audibly, “It’s not written in the legal code. Where exactly does this rule come from?”

Others immediately echoed, “Since this person is the suspect in the falling case, logically, the court should hold a public trial.”

“Yes, yes…”

Zhou Tan suddenly coughed, calmly stating, “Lord Liang is correct.”

Qu You froze.

Someone retorted, “Insisting on rules—could it be the Ministry of Justice feels guilty?”

“How can Lord Zhou claim moral integrity if…”

At that moment, a sweating black-clad guard pushed through the crowd. Upon closer inspection, Qu You recognized him as He San.

Panting heavily, He San knelt and announced loudly, “My lord, the Prefect of Jingdu has confirmed. The Yan family member below hails from Yuhang, arriving in Bianjing two years ago via merchant ship. He later served as a close attendant to Lord Peng Yue of Dianxing Temple. He owns five mu of land, a residence, receives an official stipend, and has no relatives.”

He unfolded the household register and paraded it around the onlookers, allowing them to see clearly.

Qu You glanced at it, overhearing the earlier informant remark, “Isn’t this convenient? Everything fits perfectly. Besides meeting all previous conditions, he has also lived in Bianjing for exactly two years.”

“Yes, yes. According to regulations, the Ministry of Justice doesn’t accept petitions from non-residents. Perhaps his hiding these past few days was solely to fulfill the two-year requirement?”

“Brother Li makes sense…”

So that was it.

Qu You watched as Zhou Tan took the petition from Yan Wuping, ignoring the dumbfounded Liang An. Without expression, he turned and sat down solemnly at the rosewood table.

“The petitioner Yan meets the qualifications. Pursuant to Article 42, Volume 3 of the Great Yi Legal Code, we shall proceed with the drummed complaint. Open the eastern gate and invite everyone to observe the proceedings.”