Steward Wu withdrew, and Zhang Chen returned to the study.
Having stayed at the Prefect's Residence for the past few days and listened daily to Li Wen's teachings and guidance, Zhang Chen had gained an understanding of the basic situation in Wei Commandery.
The administrative orders issued by Li Wen included many measures beneficial to the people and encouraging good deeds. Zhang Chen felt they were quite appropriate, so he did not implement major reforms but continued using the old policies, aiming for a stable transition and a smooth takeover of the entire Wei Commandery.
Li Wen had governed the commandery for several years with considerable success. Although some officials under his rule privately engaged in corrupt and illegal activities, with Li Wen suppressing them from above, they did not dare to go too far. Some who were truly excessive had already been dealt with by him as a warning to others.
However, with Li Wen's transfer, it was uncertain whether these people would become reckless. If so, he wouldn't mind killing a few to establish his authority!
At present, all matters had been settled. Zhang Chen could now free up his hands to deal with other things.
There was still a Han Xuan locked up in the prison who hadn't been dealt with yet.
Thinking of Han Xuan, Zhang Chen couldn't help but ponder inwardly.
Initially, Zhang Chen was determined to kill him. Publicly, Han Xuan colluding with the Black Mountain Bandits was a definite crime of rebellion! Privately, he disregarded the lives of the entire city's residents to vent his personal anger, which made Zhang Chen intensely hate him.
However, thinking about it now, killing him would be as simple as stepping on an ant, but keeping him alive might have some other use.
As long as Han Xuan was not dead, the Han Family would not give up on him.
Everyone in the world scrambles for profit; if the Han Family wants to save him, they will have to pay a price.
Now that everything is settled, calculating the days, Pan Feng should have already returned to Loyang.
Once the matter of Han Xuan reaches Loyang, the Han Family will inevitably appeal to Han Fu. Han Fu has always been mediocre and cowardly, surely not daring to take extreme measures, and will definitely send someone to speak with me.
The best candidate for this is undoubtedly Pan Feng.
Calculating the days, he should be arriving soon.
The facts were just as Zhang Chen had expected. Two days passed without incident, and on the morning of the third day, an attendant came to report that a General surnamed Pan was requesting an audience outside the gate.
He's finally here!
Zhang Chen was secretly delighted and quickly ordered the attendant to usher him in.
As soon as Pan Feng entered the front hall, he saw Zhang Chen seated at the Prefect's main desk and couldn't help but be startled.
He had already heard upon arriving that Zhang Chen had been promoted from Magistrate of Guangping to Prefect of Wei Commandery, but upon seeing him in person, he was still extremely astonished.
To become a Prefect of a commandery at such a young age!
Thinking back to a month ago, when they first met, he had been arrogant. Now, reflecting on it, he felt immensely ashamed.
While Pan Feng was in shock, Zhang Chen saw him enter and had already come forward to greet him: "General Pan, since our parting in Guangping County, I trust you have been well!"
"Zhang He greets Lord." Pan Feng recovered his senses and quickly bowed.
Zhang Chen hurriedly helped him up: "General Pan, there is no need for such courtesy. You have shown great kindness to the people of Guangping County, making you a benefactor to me, Zhang Zifan. Why bother with these formalities? Come, please sit."
As Zhang Chen spoke, he invited Pan Feng to sit and then said, "General Pan, having come today, what guidance do you have for me?"
"This..." Pan Feng was momentarily speechless, unsure how to begin.
He was originally a man of valor, but now he had been entrusted by Han Fu to come and plead for that fellow Han Xuan. In truth, he was unwilling from the bottom of his heart.
"Lord, to be honest, Zhang He has come for... for..."
Pan Feng hesitated, his face full of awkwardness.
"General's intention, Zifan understands," Zhang Chen said with a smile. "I know the General is a man of valor and would surely not speak up for someone like Han Xuan. I presume you were entrusted by Lord Han, making it difficult to refuse, right?"
Upon hearing this, Pan Feng said with a sense of relief, "Lord, your Clairvoyance is sharp; your words are spot on. Han Xuan colluded with rebels and ruined the Han Family's reputation. Lord Han was originally unwilling to bother with him, but alas, the Han Family clan members pleaded bitterly, and the Lord had no choice but to send Zhang He on this trip. I hope the Lord will consider that his actions did not result in severe consequences and show leniency in his sentencing."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen's expression changed slightly and he said, "General Pan, you know the crime Han Xuan committed. The Han Family should already be eternally grateful that their family was not implicated; why are they still pleading?"
Pan Feng's face flushed, and he said, "That is true, but he is ultimately a member of the Han Family; how could the Han Family stand by and do nothing? Before I came, Lord Han instructed that as long as his life could be spared, feel free to name any amount of gold, silver, or wealth, Lord."
"Haha, General Pan, have you forgotten that I come from a merchant background? Although I cannot compare to the noble families, do you think I would lack money?"
"This..." Pan Feng couldn't help but show a difficult expression and said, "Lord, whatever you ask for, please say it without hesitation."
Zhang Chen said, "It is not impossible to spare his life, but you must agree to one condition."
Upon hearing this, Pan Feng quickly said, "Lord, please speak."
Zhang Chen continued, "I have just been appointed Prefect, and my administration is unstable. I urgently need to arrange for several capable individuals. Cheng'an and Linzhang Counties have experienced war, and the original County Magistrates have fled. Now, these two counties, plus Guangping County, have vacant County Magistrate positions. I need to place my own people. I wonder if Lord Han can help with this matter?"
"Lord, Lord Han is merely an Imperial Censor, I fear he cannot influence the appointment and removal of officials, this..."
Zhang Chen laughed upon hearing this, "Currently, His Majesty is selling official positions in the Western Garden, and most officials have clear price tags. Doesn't Lord Han want to use money to buy Han Xuan's life? I don't want his money. If he cannot mediate, why not use this money to buy the positions of these three County Magistrates? With the financial power of the Han Family, surely three mere County Magistrates are but a drop in the bucket?"
"This..."
Pan Feng hesitated, pondering inwardly.
Before leaving, Han Fu repeatedly instructed that no matter what, Han Xuan's life must be saved. Even if the other party proposed harsh conditions, he must not refuse them face-to-face, prioritizing saving the person above all else.
The condition Zhang Chen just mentioned was not particularly difficult for the Han Family.
Since that is the case, why not agree?
Immediately, Pan Feng made up his mind and said, "Alright! Just as the Lord says, when Zhang He returns, I will surely accomplish this matter for the Lord! It's just... I wonder about Han Xuan... When can Zhang He take him?"
"General Pan is indeed a straightforward person!" Zhang Chen laughed. "As you are, so am I. Today, you may take him."
"Many thanks, Lord!" Pan Feng said, then stood up and bowed with clasped fists.
Shortly after, Zhang Chen took Pan Feng to the prison. Several days prior, Zhang Chen had already secretly escorted Han Xuan from Guangping County to Ye City.
Inside the prison, it was dark and damp, with no sunlight, and the air was filled with the smell of rot and mold.
Guided by the jailer, the two arrived at a cell and saw Han Xuan curled up in a corner, his hair dishevelled, emaciated, with not a trace of a noble family member's appearance left.
"Han Xuan, the Lord has come to see you!" the jailer called out softly.
Upon hearing this, Han Xuan immediately trembled like chaff, continuously muttering, "No, don't, don't kill me! I was wrong, I really know I was wrong! Please let me go!"
"Han Xuan," Zhang Chen said lightly, "Now that things have come to this, do you know your mistake?"
Han Xuan parted his dishevelled hair, looked at Zhang Chen, and excitedly rushed to the cell door, kneeling on the ground and continuously pleading, "Lord, Lord, Han Xuan knows his crime, please show mercy, Lord!"
"Since you show remorse, and considering that your actions did not result in severe consequences, this official will spare your life today. However, if you offend again in the future, do not blame this official for being merciless!"
As Zhang Chen spoke, his tone was icy, and he barked coldly.
"Yes, yes! This humble one will surely turn over a new leaf and never dare to offend again!" Upon hearing this, Han Xuan, as if granted a great pardon, kept bowing his head.
Looking at Han Xuan in this state, Zhang Chen couldn't help but sigh softly: "General Pan, take the person. Don't forget the matter the Han Family promised me."
"Lord, rest assured, this matter is on Zhang He."
