THE FORGOTTEN MAGISTRATE
905 Words
A gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo forest, causing thousands of green stalks to sway like waves upon the sea.
Prince Zhao Yun, Captain Lu Feng, and Mei Lian stood motionless, their eyes fixed on the elderly man before them.
Though dressed in plain gray robes, the old man carried himself with the dignity of someone who had once held great authority.
His gaze settled on Zhao Yun.
"You have your father's eyes."
Zhao Yun's expression changed.
"You knew His Majesty?"
The old man smiled faintly.
"I served the Great Tian Empire for more than thirty years."
"I was once the magistrate of Qinghe."
Captain Lu Feng stepped forward.
"You are Magistrate Han Shou?"
The old man nodded.
"I was... before Governor Chen stole everything from me."
---
Han Shou led them to a modest bamboo cottage hidden beside a quiet stream.
The house was simple. A wooden table, a few chairs, and shelves filled with old scrolls were the only furnishings.
Mei Lian looked around in surprise.
"You have lived here alone all these years?"
Han Shou poured tea into four clay cups.
"When a man loses his position, many who once called him friend suddenly forget his name."
He handed a cup to Zhao Yun.
"But truth has a long memory."
After everyone was seated, Han Shou opened a faded wooden chest.
Inside were dozens of official documents tied neatly with red silk.
"I knew one day someone would come searching."
He carefully unfolded one of the scrolls.
"This is the original tax record from five years ago."
Zhao Yun compared it with the figures Governor Chen had presented at the banquet.
The numbers were completely different.
"The governor reported that the harvest failed," Zhao Yun said.
Han Shou shook his head.
"It was the best harvest in twenty years."
"Then where did the tax silver go?"
The old magistrate's face grew solemn.
"It was stolen."
---
Han Shou spread several more scrolls across the table.
"Governor Chen did not act alone."
"He created false reports and forced honest officials to sign them."
"Those who refused disappeared."
Captain Lu Feng frowned.
"Disappeared?"
Han Shou lowered his voice.
"Some were imprisoned."
"Others were executed in secret."
"And a few..."
He paused.
"Were never seen again."
Silence filled the cottage.
Mei Lian clenched her fists.
"How could this continue for so many years without the capital discovering it?"
Han Shou sighed.
"Because every report sent to the capital passed through the same corrupt hands."
He pointed to a document bearing several official seals.
"There are powerful people protecting Governor Chen."
Zhao Yun stared at the seals.
One had been scratched away, as though someone had deliberately tried to hide the owner's identity.
---
As the afternoon sun began to set, Han Shou led Zhao Yun behind the cottage.
A weathered stone monument stood beneath an ancient pine tree.
Several names had been carved into its surface.
"Who are they?" Zhao Yun asked.
"Honest officials."
"They died trying to protect Qinghe."
Han Shou gently brushed away the fallen leaves covering the stone.
"I carved their names so history would not forget them."
Zhao Yun bowed respectfully before the monument.
"I swear that their sacrifice will not be in vain."
The old magistrate looked at the young prince for a long moment.
For the first time in years, hope returned to his weary eyes.
---
Meanwhile, inside the Governor's residence, panic spread through the secret chamber.
A guard knelt before Governor Chen.
"My Lord... the prince has entered the Green Bamboo Forest."
Governor Chen slammed his teacup onto the floor.
"So he found Han Shou."
The silver-masked assassin stood silently beside the window.
Governor Chen turned toward him.
"We cannot allow that old fool to speak."
The assassin nodded.
"I will finish it tonight."
"No."
Governor Chen's voice was cold.
"If Han Shou dies now, the prince will know we were responsible."
He walked to a cabinet and removed a small wooden box.
Inside lay an official seal stolen years earlier from Magistrate Han Shou.
"We shall make the old magistrate appear to be the traitor."
The assassin's eyes narrowed.
"You intend to forge evidence?"
Governor Chen smiled.
"Dead men cannot defend themselves."
---
Night fell over the bamboo forest.
Han Shou prepared a simple meal of rice, vegetables, and fresh fish from the nearby stream.
The peaceful evening reminded Zhao Yun of his childhood before palace politics had consumed his family.
As they ate, Han Shou suddenly stopped speaking.
His expression became serious.
"What is it?" Mei Lian asked.
The old magistrate slowly stood.
"I hear footsteps."
Captain Lu Feng immediately reached for his sword.
The forest had become unnaturally quiet.
No birds sang.
No insects chirped.
Only the soft crunch of leaves echoed through the darkness.
Then—
A flaming arrow streaked across the night sky.
It struck the roof of the bamboo cottage.
Within seconds, dry bamboo erupted into flames.
"Fire!" Mei Lian cried.
Before anyone could react, dozens of black-clad figures emerged from the forest, surrounding the cottage from every direction.
Each wore the emblem of a black wolf upon the chest.
Their leader stepped forward, raising his sword toward Zhao Yun.
"This time..."
"There will be no escape."
The burning cottage illuminated the forest in a sea of orange light as the assassins slowly closed in.
Prince Zhao Yun tightened his grip on his sword.
The battle for Qinghe had truly begun.
- Writer
