si-mexico Chapter 217 Zhang Jue’s Injustice
Chapter 217 Zhang Jue’s Injustice
The first day of the conscription was very intense and lively.
Some people defeated their opponents as soon as they came on stage and won applause, while others had to work very hard to barely defeat their opponents.
The first day's competition lasted until the evening.
There were a total of 1,025 people who registered. One of them had his leg broken in a fight the day before the competition and was unable to participate.
On this day, the ranking of 1,024 to 512 was selected, and the rankings of the winners were recorded.
Many generals observed with keen eyes and recorded the numbers of the contestants they thought had good martial arts skills, so that even if the opponent did not win in the end, their talents would not be buried.
They can be recruited into the army, or into the security forces to protect civil and military officials.
The chief examiner of this competition is Shen Changgong, and the referees are the generals.
On the second day, a ranking selection was conducted from 512 to 256.
On the third day, the ranking was adjusted from 256 to 128 in the morning, and from 128 to 64 in the afternoon.
The winner will have two matches.
On the fourth day, sixty-four becomes thirty-two, thirty-two becomes sixteen, and sixteen becomes eight.
The winner will have three matches.
By the evening, the top eight were decided.
In the evening, Shen Changgong personally invited these eight strong men to dinner and drinks in the restaurant.
After encouraging them, he told them that the emperor would come to watch the final tomorrow and asked them to perform well. All eight of them could join the army and become generals.
These eight people are named Zhang Jue, Su Wuan, Wu Changge, Liang Hao, Nie Yang, Yan Qun, Yin Gong, and Murong.
Everyone was happy, except for one person who didn't laugh.
Shen Changgong looked at the man and asked,
"Zhang Jue, is there something on your mind?"
Zhang Jue is a young and burly man, in his early twenties, about the same size as Shen Changgong, but taller and stronger. He has been performing very well in recent days. No matter what opponent he meets, he defeats the enemy with one move and has never used his full strength.
Shen Changgong and the generals valued him very much.
When Zhang Jue heard Shen Changgong calling him, he also raised his head and looked at Shen Changgong, his eyes hesitant and struggling. Finally, he made up his mind, stood up, knelt on the ground, and said,
"Your Majesty, please help me. I have been wronged!"
"Stand up and sit down. Speak, the king is listening."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhang Jue sat up and said in a sad and serious tone,
"Your Highness, I wish to sue Liu Xun, the governor of Hedong County!"
"Oh? What happened to you, Liu Xun?"
Shen Changgong picked up the dish and put it into his mouth, then asked with interest.
"Your Highness, there are only four of us in our family: my elderly parents, my elder brother, and me. My elder brother joined the army and died in battle in ** County.
I heard that not many of our Yan army members died in that battle. My brother died gloriously for our country, which was a worthy death.
The court's pension was also issued promptly, a full one hundred taels of silver, enough for our family to live on for more than ten years.
But the problem lies with the county magistrate Liu Xun. The court's pension list clearly states one hundred taels of silver, but when it reached us, only two taels of silver were left.
My brother sacrificed his life for our country, but his life is only worth two taels of silver?
I was so angry that I went to Liu Xun to complain, but I was beaten by the yamen runners. I defeated twenty yamen runners with my bare hands, and finally they called in the county soldiers to capture me.
I was thrown into prison and was about to die, but the imperial court issued an order to recruit soldiers.
Liu Xun was ambitious and wanted to show off, so he told me that if I could get into the top ten in the military conscription order, he would forgive my sins.
He threatened me with my parents' lives to get me to come.
I thought this was a good opportunity to go to the capital to file a complaint, so I agreed.
"These past few days, I've been waiting for an opportunity to see you alone. Now that I've seen you, I'm feeling really bummed out. I can't help but speak out. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Upon hearing what had happened to him, everyone present was filled with indignation.
These people all wanted to join the army to seek a future. They were all brothers in the army. When they heard that the families of the martyrs were treated like this, they were extremely angry.
After hearing Gao Ao's words, Shen Changgong remained calm and said,
"This incident may not have been done by Liu Xun alone. In cases of corruption, there is a complete chain of extortion, and each level of payment will deduct a portion.
This matter, the king will take care of it.
From now on, compensation for military martyrs will be distributed directly by the military headquarters, and will no longer go through local government offices."
Shen Changgong hooked his finger behind him, and Tu Que Ling immediately stepped forward.
"Your Majesty."
“Send the Shadow Guard to investigate this case, focusing on Liu Xun and his subordinate officials and clerks to see how much corruption was involved in this case.
If the matter is true, all these people will be executed on the spot, skinned and their tendons removed, and hung at the gate of the Hedong County government office.
This king wants to show the world what happens to those who embezzle, accept bribes, and oppress the families of martyrs.
In addition, after the matter is resolved, bring Zhang Jue's parents over so that they can enjoy a good life in the capital when Zhang Jue joins the army."
"I understand. I'll go tell the Shadow Guard right away."
Tu Queling turned around and went out, calling a shadow guard who was protecting him secretly, and conveyed Shen Changgong's intention.
Zhang Jue knelt down and saluted,
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Get up."
Shen Changgong asked,
"I will avenge you. When I return to the army..."
"Your Majesty, I have no intention of joining the army."
Zhang Jue said seriously.
Nie Yang and Yin Gong on both sides kept winking at him, asking him to stop talking nonsense.
The prince has personally ordered you to be redressed and to avenge yourself, which is already a great favor to you. You must not be ungrateful and keep making the prince unhappy.
Shen Changgong was very good-tempered when dealing with his own people. He asked,
"Why?"
"Your Majesty, my elder brother and I are both skilled in martial arts, but my elder brother died in battle, leaving me as the only son left in the family.
It is certainly an honor to join the army and serve the country, but without a family, there is no country.
I am not afraid of death, but after I die, there will be no one to support my parents. Even if there is a pension, there is no young and strong person in the family, so I am afraid they will be bullied by bad neighbors and bad people.
If foreign enemies invade, I am willing to fight to the death to defend my homeland, but there is no war in Dayan now. Even if there is, I think they will invade Kun Kingdom.
I do not wish to die on the battlefield, I only wish to serve you at home, Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will grant me this."
Shen Changgong's expression gradually turned cold, and he stared at Zhang Jue.
Zhang Jue lowered his head and dared not speak anymore.
"Wouldn't it be a waste of such great martial arts skills if I stayed at home farming?
Besides, not all those recruited by the military conscription order will join the army. This prince will mobilize some of them to join the security forces to expand their strength, maintain the security of the capital, and protect the civil and military officials against the Yan-destroying Society."