Journey to the West: Man in heaven, working nine to five

#2083 - The upright governor

After resting overnight in Ciyun Temple, Tang Sanzang and his disciples set off early the next morning to go to the Jinping Prefecture Magistrate's office to meet the magistrate and exchange their travel permit.

The Magistrate's office wasn't far from Ciyun Temple, only about a quarter of an hour's journey. Arriving at the entrance of the Magistrate's office, they declared their identities to the guards.

"This humble monk is a monk from the Great Tang Dynasty of the East, traveling to the Western Paradise to seek scriptures. I have come specifically to see the magistrate and exchange our travel permit."

Upon hearing the identities of Tang Sanzang and the others, the guard immediately went inside to report. After a short while, a man who appeared to be a steward came out.

"Venerable Elders from the Great Tang, it is truly an honor to have you visit our Jinping Prefecture."

The steward led Tang Sanzang and his disciples into the reception hall and treated them with great hospitality.

"May I ask when the Magistrate will see us?"

After Tang Sanzang drank a cup of tea, the Magistrate still hadn't arrived, so he asked the steward.

"Venerable Elders, your timing is unfortunate. Our Magistrate has a habit of sincerely chanting scriptures for an hour every morning.

Afterward, he immediately attends to the day's official business. Only after completing his duties will he have time to meet with you. Please forgive us for the discourtesy."

The steward explained to Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

"It's no matter. This Magistrate is indeed a diligent man, actually chanting scriptures and praying to Buddha every morning, and handling official duties first."

Judging by this, the Magistrate should indeed be a conscientious person.

"Over the years, our Magistrate has not only chanted scriptures and prayed to Buddha, but also observes a vegetarian diet and keeps the precepts. Although he is in officialdom, he is no different from a Buddhist."

The steward spoke of the Magistrate with a very respectful demeanor.

Just then, a drumbeat suddenly came from outside the door, causing Tang Sanzang and the others to feel surprised.

"What is the meaning of this drumbeat?"

Tang Sanzang asked the steward.

"Presumably, someone has come to file a complaint. The Magistrate should have finished chanting scriptures and praying to Buddha and will soon be handling the matter."

The steward's meaning was clear: the Magistrate was about to hear a case.

"I wonder if we can watch?"

Hearing that the Magistrate was going to hear a case, Tang Sanzang and the others were also very interested.

"Of course, you may. Our Magistrate has always held public trials, allowing the people to supervise his fairness!"

As the steward spoke, he led Tang Sanzang and the others toward the main hall of the government office.

At that moment, the main hall was already set up for the trial. The Magistrate sat in his official robes, with a row of yamen runners standing on either side.

Outside the main hall, there were indeed many people watching the trial, which proved that the steward's words were true: the Magistrate's trial was indeed a public one.

"Venerable Elders, you may only watch from outside the door and may not enter the hall to interfere with the Magistrate's official duties."

The steward instructed Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples also joined the crowd of onlookers, watching the Magistrate try the case along with the people.

At that moment, two people were kneeling in the court, an old lady and a middle-aged fat man.

The old lady was blind, dressed plainly, and belonged to the ordinary people of Jinping Prefecture.

The fat man was very wealthy and luxuriously dressed, definitely a rich landlord in Jinping Prefecture.

Tang Sanzang and the others also heard the surrounding people explain the cause of the matter: the fat landlord and the blind old lady were neighbors.

The fat landlord had malicious intentions and bullied the old lady because she was blind. When rebuilding his house, he occupied a lot of the old lady's land.

Since ancient times, there has been collusion between officials and merchants. The rich have various connections and can involve the government in their interests.

In this way, the government would naturally not speak for the poor, but would protect the rich.

"Let's see how this Magistrate judges."

Tang Sanzang saw that the fat landlord and the old lady had both finished speaking in court and had presented their evidence.

Next, the Magistrate should give a judgment, and the result would show the Magistrate's character.

"This official is already clear about this case. Based on the evidence presented, as well as the statements of both parties, this official now judges as follows.

This matter is that the landlord Wang Baibai deliberately occupied the residential land of the old lady Chen Liu, and the responsibility lies with Wang Baibai.

Wang Baibai is sentenced to immediately tear down the courtyard wall, return the occupied land to Chen Liu, and pay Chen Liu one hundred taels of silver as compensation.

Wang Baibai is unkind and domineering, and I have long heard of it. Now that he has committed a crime, he will not be spared lightly, and he is sentenced to three months in prison as a warning."

The Magistrate announced his judgment. The blind old lady won the case, and the fat landlord not only had to tear down the courtyard wall and pay compensation, but also received a severe penalty of three months in prison.

"The Magistrate is wise and truly a fair and just official."

"This is really satisfying. The Magistrate is truly an upright official."

"Having the Magistrate in our Jinping Prefecture is truly a blessing for the people."

The onlookers, hearing the verdict, cheered for the Magistrate, and some even couldn't help but kneel down and bow to the Magistrate.

"Judging from the results of this trial, the Magistrate of Jinping Prefecture is indeed fair and upright."

"Yes, he did not favor the rich and protected the interests of the people. He seems like a good official."

"Judging from the reaction of the people, the Magistrate is also deeply loved by the people."

Sun Wukong and the others also judged the Magistrate in this way. After all, seeing is believing, and the Magistrate was indeed very fair in hearing the case.

"In that case, the thieves we encountered yesterday should really be thieves?"

Although Tang Sanzang had personally witnessed the Magistrate's fair trial, he was still somewhat doubtful.

As for Chu Hao, he remained silent on the sidelines, looking thoughtful.

Tang Sanzang felt doubtful not only because of the strangeness of the bandits last night, but also because of the Magistrate's appearance.

It is said that appearance comes from the heart. The Magistrate of Jinping Prefecture has a somewhat peculiar appearance. Although it can't be said that he is ugly, it has nothing to do with good looks.

He is thin and short, especially between his eyebrows, he doesn't have the boldness that a man should have, but rather a bit of effeminacy.

After the case was tried, the Magistrate announced that he would retire from the court. At this time, Tang Sanzang and the others stepped forward to meet the Magistrate.

"Your Honor, these are eminent monks from the Great Tang."

The steward introduced Tang Sanzang and the others to the Magistrate.

"So, they are eminent monks from the Great Tang. This official was busy with official duties and was truly negligent. Please forgive me. I wonder what the eminent monks from the Great Tang need this official to do for you?"

When the Magistrate heard the identities of Tang Sanzang and the others, he immediately appeared very enthusiastic, and his words were extremely polite, even to the point of being overly enthusiastic.