Chapter 90: Stepping Stones on the Stairway

Di Ying rose to her feet, clasping her hands behind her back as she looked at Zhang Jian.

“You’re simply too cautious. These cases might be troublesome, might implicate some powerful figures or those with influence, and so, to avoid responsibility, you’ve handed them all over to others. In this way, you achieve nothing but also commit no faults. Sometimes—no, far too often—those of us who serve as officials in the court are content with this: to be without blame, and that alone suffices. You truly have mastered the subtle essence of officialdom. Did you learn this from Magistrate Chen? His lack of accomplishments led to his dismissal, which struck a chord with you, didn’t it? That’s why you handled these case files in this particular manner: seeking merit in your faults, preserving merit even amid your errors.

I appreciate your meticulousness and your cunning way of preserving credit, but I can also see that you truly have no wish to spend more effort on legal cases. What you really value is agricultural output, isn’t it? Because that’s where achievements come more easily, is it not? As for legal cases, they drain your mind and spirit, and more often than not, only bring you trouble—there’s no swift promotion to be found down that path. So you avoid them. Yet you don’t want your superiors to think you’re incompetent with the law, so you make the case files detailed and impressive.

Perhaps you thought: once the unsolved cases are submitted, someone from above will be sent down. With your files as guidance, the cases would be cracked at the fastest pace. Then, with a few clever words, your superior would earn the merit, and you would earn their appreciation. As for the people thinking you’re inept at handling cases—that doesn’t matter. Once your superior reviews the files and solves the cases quickly, your abilities will be clear enough. At the same time, they’ll see your achievements and contributions to the welfare of the people. That’s all you want, isn’t it? But, unfortunately, no one from above ever came. All your efforts have been for blind eyes.

And now, after so much, I finally arrived. Yet upon seeing how young I am, you felt disappointed and resentful. Still, you clung to a sliver of hope. So, while showing off your achievements, you couldn’t help but let barbs slip into your words.”

As she spoke, Di Ying’s expression turned cold. She said sternly, “Hiding your talents, feigning humility, treating your subordinates with leniency, cherishing the people, being cautious and thorough, currying favor with those above and below—such a fine official you make! But how can you treat legal cases as mere stepping stones for your advancement? Are these matters for you to manipulate? Is it because you think more will die of poverty and hunger than by misfortune, so you care more for livelihood than order? Is that your justification? Utter nonsense!

Now, everyone in Ping’an County knows you’re incompetent with legal matters. Do you understand what that means? Do you realize the consequences? In just one year, the number of major and important cases has climbed this high. What about in the future? Have you truly thought things through? Your goal is to keep the people fed and ensure the land taxes are paid in full. Yet the impression you’ve left is that their lives and property are never secure!”

Finished, Di Ying closed her eyes, exhaling a long, heavy breath. Seeing Zhang Jian drenched in cold sweat, she pointed at the wooden box, “You have one month. Settle every one of these cases. If you show any more laziness or trickery, I’ll make sure your wish to return to farming comes true!”

With that, Di Ying swept her sleeves and strode away, leaving Zhang Jian and the county officials behind in turmoil, their emotions in disarray.

And it wasn’t just them. Even Zhao San and his companions shrank back, awed by the sudden authority emanating from their master. Since following her, never had they seen her confront an official in such a way—there was no way to describe it, and yet it was deeply, profoundly stirring.

After leaving the county office, they heard Peng Liang’s questioning voice: “My lady, do you feel sorry for Magistrate Zhang?”

The ten guards fell silent as one, thinking: Is this what you call pity? She’s just stripped his reputation to the bone! Did Captain Peng use the wrong word? Won’t the lady be angry? Didn’t you see her lips trembling with rage?

Zhao San raised a hand and discreetly tugged at Peng Liang’s sleeve, signaling him to stop talking. But Peng Liang only returned a reassuring smile.

Zhao San was left speechless. Was the captain comforting him, or himself?

Just then, they heard Di Ying’s reply.

“Zhang Jian is a man with ideas, and quite talented. He’s just… too calculating. His scheme, I suppose, was to craft impressive case files while letting the people’s talk of his ineptitude circulate, so that when a superior arrived and cracked the unsolved cases, the contrast would leave a deep impression. That was his aim. I do feel sorry for him—for a mind like his is like forged iron used to make a shovel, but not even used for the blade.”

The guards exchanged glances. Before they could even rub their faces in disbelief, their lady sighed deeply and continued, “It’s a pity—he has the makings of a grand minister. If he truly could change his mindset and perspective, I wouldn’t hesitate to give him a push forward.”

“But wouldn’t that risk you falling into his ‘promotion trap’? What if all his actions are just laying the groundwork for a double outcome?” Peng Liang pressed.

Di Ying smiled, her expression open, yet tinged with melancholy. “Compared to me, he’s better suited for the court. If elevating him benefits the dynasty and the people, then even if I become the stepping stone beneath his feet, what harm is there in that? After all, his temperament, character, and talent are genuinely commendable. That’s enough, isn’t it?”

Peng Liang looked at his lady, moved and filled with admiration. There truly are people in this world who never weigh personal gain or loss, honor or disgrace, but are always broad-minded and magnanimous—who can find gold in the sand, even if the sand once irritated their own eyes. Just as, back then, he had wronged her, yet when her own fate was in jeopardy, she still considered vengeance on his behalf. Perhaps this is what true vision means, what it is to be wholeheartedly for the dynasty and the people. Such people are far too rare. To have met Lady Di is three lifetimes’ fortune for Peng Liang.

The guards were also deeply shaken by her final words. Only now did they begin to understand: this is their master, Lady Di!

Di Ying herself wasn’t thinking so much, nor did she know how much they pondered. No longer speaking of Zhang Jian, she halted and instructed, “Zhao San, you and a few others, go find the yamen runners who first investigated the scene where Han Lixing was killed. Question them again—ask about anything unusual at the scene, no matter how small. Make them recall every detail.”

Zhao San and the others accepted the order and left.

Di Ying then turned to the remaining guards. “You, go discreetly look into the powerful and influential families in the county. Since Zhang Jian avoided cases that might involve them, it’s possible the murderer of Han Lixing is connected to those people. Go, and investigate!”