Chapter 61: Framing
Chapter 61: Framing
September 25, 2017
Many thanks to 'Lamoso' for the reward!
And to 'Zhou Zhongda' for the support!
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Gao Shun's life in Shanwu County had never been easy.
Despite his exceptional personal strength and skill in training soldiers, which were unparalleled in the county, he still struggled to find his place.
The reason was simple: his background.
Gao Shun was not from an aristocratic family, nor did he even belong to the lower nobility. He was merely a common soldier recruited by the county, rising through the ranks from the very bottom to become a military officer.
In an environment where the military was almost entirely controlled by aristocratic families, such an identity was looked down upon. Moreover, Gao Shun's repeated rejections of the Zhang family's attempts to recruit him only made his situation more difficult, to the point where he was nearly unable to take a single step in the military without facing obstacles.
Gao Shun and his soldiers rarely received their full monthly rations, and their supplies were always the most meager. Yet, the tasks they were assigned were always the most arduous and exhausting.
This was the Zhang family's way of suppressing those with talent and skill from humble backgrounds. The wealthy families always followed this approach: either you submit to us and become our obedient dogs, or you get out of our territory.
Even when Gao Shun unintentionally prevented a loss of several tens of thousands of gold for the Zhang family, they still did not treat him any better.
When Zhang Junhou, the military commander who took over the battlefield, arrived, he not only failed to express any gratitude to Gao Shun but also directly demanded a search of Gao Shun and his entire force, claiming it was to prevent them from stealing the Zhang family's gold.
Gao Shun could not possibly accept such a humiliating request. It was not just a matter of personal dignity; more importantly, if he conceded now, how could he continue to lead his troops? How could he and his men hold their heads high in Shanwu County?
Therefore, Gao Shun strongly resisted this demand, and a fight almost broke out. In the end, the military commander seemed to realize that his strength was far inferior to Gao Shun's, and fearing a loss of face if they fought, he reluctantly backed down. However, he forcibly expelled Gao Shun and his men first.
As Gao Shun and his men left, the Zhang family's military commander glared at them with a sinister look in his eyes, saying, "You're just a lowly peasant. Do you think I can't deal with you?"
In this situation, Gao Shun and his men returned to Shanwu County, seething with anger. Soon after, the Zhang family's commander who had taken over the battlefield also returned with his troops after clearing the battlefield.
Not long after returning, the commander quickly handed over the necessary items and then immediately led his men to surround Gao Shun's camp without any explanation.
Here, it's worth mentioning the officer system in the Eastern Han Dynasty. The military ranks, from low to high, were Squad Leader (5 men), Section Leader (10 men), Team Leader (50 men), Platoon Leader (also known as Military Commander, 500 men), Colonel (in charge of 1,000 men with two platoons), and finally, the General at the camp level (5,000 men).
As a Company Commander, Gao Shun had only 100 men under his command, while the Military Commander surrounding him had 500 men, giving him a fivefold advantage in strength.
In terms of numbers alone, Gao Shun was undoubtedly at a disadvantage. However, if it came to a fight, both Gao Shun and the surrounding Military Commander knew that Gao Shun would undoubtedly emerge victorious.
But the commander wasn't afraid. This was Shanwu County, and they were in the military camp, where most of the key personnel were from the Zhang family. He wasn't afraid of a direct confrontation here, and more importantly, he had a legitimate reason for his actions.
"You good-for-nothing Gao Shun, you seemed so honest, but who knew you'd be so greedy? That batch of gold should've had 50,000 taels, but now there's less than 45,000. Did you and your company steal it?" Zhang Junhou, with a sinister tone, cornered Gao Shun and accused him.
Zhang Junhou, or Zhang Hao, was the highest-ranking military official in the Zhang family, second only to Zhang Ke. However, unlike the competent Zhang Ke, Zhang Hao was an incompetent fool. He lacked strength, was greedy, and had a narrow mind. Despite his title, he rarely stayed in the barracks, instead squandering the Zhang family's money outside.
Today, having run out of pocket money, he came to the barracks and stumbled upon this lucrative opportunity.
As luck would have it, he had no money left, so when he received this task, he immediately thought of ways to make some cash.
Indeed, Zhang Hao was full of malicious ideas. He instantly devised a plan to frame Gao Shun. After all, Gao Shun, despite his skills, was just a commoner, and getting rid of him would be as easy as blowing air.
As soon as he arrived at the canyon, he demanded to search Gao Shun and his men, all for this moment.
Zhang Hao, without hesitation, accused Gao Shun, knowing that Gao Shun would never do something so humiliating. And if Gao Shun refused, Zhang Hao could claim the money was taken by Gao Shun, leaving Gao Shun with no explanation.
Of course, Gao Shun could defend himself, but would Zhang Hao listen? As a Zhang family member, he could easily frame Gao Shun, a commoner. No evidence needed; his word was law!
In a 1619 book, it's written without error!
Zhang Hao's actions in cornering Gao Shun caused a stir in the barracks, quickly reaching the County Magistrate, Zhang Ke.
"What's going on here?" Zhang Ke rushed to the scene, frowning at the standoff of hundreds of people.
Today, having heard that the Dark Wind Fort's hundred-man squad was annihilated, his mood was already sour. Now, this drama unfolded in his own barracks.
"Sir, Gao Shun and his men, upon first contact with the gold, embezzled 5,000 taels from the Zhang family," Zhang Hao reported, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Zhang Ke. Zhang Hao's audacity in framing Gao Shun stemmed partly from Zhang Ke's position as County Magistrate and his brother. With Zhang Ke's arrival, Gao Shun, who had remained silent during the standoff, now felt intimidated, and Zhang Hao's confidence soared.
Zhang Ke glanced at Gao Shun, whom he didn't know well. He had only heard that Gao Shun was skilled but ungrateful, repeatedly declining the Zhang family's recruitment offers.
"Then arrest him! Interrogate him thoroughly!" Zhang Ke, uninterested in details, issued a light sentence, effectively sentencing Gao Shun. He had no time for this; Lu Hai Kong's matter was already a headache.
'Perfect, now I have thousands of taels to spend!'
Zhang Hao's face glowed with satisfaction, and he ordered Gao Shun, "Gao Shun, surrender now!"
(End of Chapter)
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