Ting Zhang Xiao Wu

Author: Shi Jiepeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: A 70s youth scholar, rewriting the Book of Han through fiction——《China Reading News》promoted the imperial biographies in tens of thousands of words. Emperors' records have become history. Therefore, the people, those without history, have no history. History will ultimately be buried, but those without history are destined for eternal life. — Professor and writer Kong Qingdong from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Peking University. If Shi Jiepeng continues to craft stories based on the detailed regulations of Han bamboo slips, he could completely create a series of legal romance novels. — Former editor-in-chief of Novel Selection and literary critic He Shaojun.
His historical and literary expertise is truly that of an expert, with great talent. This work should be on par with Liu Erhe's Kangxi Emperor, and I hope it will eventually air on CCTV's prime time. — Netizen gzwilliam.
The story takes place in the fourth year of the Taishi era during Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty. That summer, a robbery and murder case occurred in Youzhou County, Youjiang Commandery, located in the Jiangnan region. The victim was a maid from the powerful Wei family. Relying on their status as a prominent local family, the Wei family constantly pressured the county court to solve the case quickly. Youzhou County Magistrate Wang De faced immense pressure and organized many experienced officials to investigate, but they yielded no results. Desperate, Wang De sought help from the retired official Li Shun, who recommended his student, Xiao Wu, as the Youqing Pavilion Head. Xiao Wu did not disappoint expectations and, through meticulous investigation, successfully cracked the case.
It turned out that the case had connections with the Wei family and the Prince of Guangling. However, since the Prince of Guangling was Emperor Wu's own son, Emperor Wu issued an edict to pardon him. Undeterred, the Prince of Guangling conspired with the , planning to kidnap the Youzhou Commandery Commander and seize the 40,000 strong crossbows of Youzhou Commandery, preparing to rebel when the time came. However, this attempt was thwarted by Xiao Wu, who captured Zhu Anshi. Subsequently, hundreds of bandits from Meiling surrounded the county court to rescue Zhu Anshi. Xiao Wu then forged an edict and mobilized the commandery's troops to crush the bandits.
This action alarmed the current Prime Minister Gongsun He, as his son Gongsun Jingsheng had previously conspired with Zhu Anshi in several crimes punishable by death. Fearing Xiao Wu had interrogated Zhu Anshi and obtained evidence, Gongsun He had Xiao Wu arrested on charges of forging an edict and mobilizing troops. Xiao Wu fled in haste but was intercepted by Gongsun He's men. With his life hanging by a thread, the Prince of Guangling's daughter-in-law Liu Lide suddenly arrived and rescued Xiao Wu. On the way, they used crossbows to shoot the pursuing troops of Gongsun Chang and others off a cliff and captured Zhang Chong, a decoy envoy impersonating the Son of Heaven from Changyi. They also recovered Gongsun Pohe and other Youzhou Commandery troops.
In Guangling County, Xiao Wu and Liu Lide grew increasingly fond of each other, much to the jealousy of Zhao Heqi, the envoy from the Prince of Chu, who was infatuated with Liu Lide's beauty. Zhao Heqi incited the Prince of Guangling to kill Xiao Wu, but Xiao Wu, leveraging his familiarity with Han law, successfully persuaded Zhao Heqi to speak in his favor before the Prince of Guangling. Zhao Heqi, holding the confession of Zhu Anshi that Xiao Wu had given him, went to Chang'an to accuse Gongsun He of rebellion, hoping to earn a fief. However, he was sentenced to castration by the Minister of Justice Yan Yannian, who cited Han law. Zhao Heqi thus harbored deep hatred for Xiao Wu.
As a result, Emperor Wu summoned Xiao Wu to Chang'an and had him assist the new Prime Minister in handling Gongsun He's case, leading to Gongsun He's execution, along with two princesses and several marquises involved. Impressed by Xiao Wu's capabilities, Emperor Wu promoted him to the position of Youzhou Commandery Magistrate and Embroidered Robe Envoy, allowing him to tour the five commanderies in Jiangnan and return home in glory. On his way home, Xiao Wu passed through Guangling Commandery and married Liu Lide, returning together to Guangling.
Just as he was basking in success, he discovered that his parents had been murdered. Overcome with grief and fury, Xiao Wu severely tortured the captured bandits but never uncovered the true. In retaliation, he arrested and executed hundreds of lawless youths and powerful clan members in Youzhou, instilling fear throughout the commandery. Xiao Wu's iron-fisted governance earned him a recommendation from Yan Yannian, who appointed him as the Capital Prefect.
Upon returning to the capital, Xiao Wu witnessed the arrogance and lawlessness of Jiang Chong's younger brother, Jiang Zhi, who led officers and soldiers into the Imperial Garden's Jiaotang Palace and shot him to death. However, Jiaotang Palace had been visited by Emperor Wu, and anyone entering without an edict was to be executed by beheading. While Xiao Wu shot Jiang Zhi, he also hit the palace gate, which, according to law, warranted execution. Impressed by Xiao Wu's talent, Emperor Wu wanted to pardon him but could not do so directly. He sent an envoy, Zhao Heqi, to hint at a lenient judgment to the officials deliberating the case.
However, Zhao Heqi, acting corruptly, seized the opportunity to coerce Xiao Wu's wife, Liu Lide, into suicide. Devastated upon his release, Xiao Wu sought revenge by feigning reconciliation with Jiang Chong and eventually killing Zhao Heqi. Yet, he still harbored a desire to kill Jiang Chong to achieve complete vengeance. Jiang Chong, having offended the Crown Prince, feared being executed by the imperial family after Emperor Wu's death. Taking advantage of Emperor Wu's illness, he spread rumors of witchcraft cursing the emperor. Trusting him, Emperor Wu appointed Jiang Chong to investigate the witchcraft, granting him the authority to arrest anyone.
Jiang Chong then targeted the Crown Prince. To avenge his wife, Xiao Wu incited the Crown Prince to launch a preemptive strike against Jiang Chong, ultimately avenging Liu Lide. The Crown Prince killed Jiang Chong, enraging Emperor Wu, who mobilized troops from the three commanderies under the new Prime Minister Liu Quemo to crush the Crown Prince's army. Xiao Wu had previously suggested that the Crown Prince forge an edict to seize the Northern Army, but the suggestion was rejected. Defeated, the Crown Prince fled but was unable to escape the city. Xiao Wu was rescued by Jin Moru, a former court maiden he had long admired, who helped him escape the city and reach Hu County.
Seeking refuge at Du Shaoweng's home, introduced by Jin Moru, they were betrayed by Xiao Wu's subordinate Tan Chongguo, leading to a crackdown by county officials. In the chaos, the Crown Prince, unable to escape, took his own life. Protected by his subordinates Gu Pohe and Yingqi, Xiao Wu fled to the mountain but reached the edge of a cliff. Refusing to be captured and humiliated, and filled with longing for Liu Lide, he took his own life. County officials chased after him, claiming they had just received an imperial edict commuting the Crown Prince's sentence.