Chapter 435: Chapter 72 Farce Chapter 435: Chapter 72 Farce “What exactly is going on?”
“It’s said that…” Zheng Yuanning, being a scholar, found so words hard to utter, so he whispered a few words into Wu Keyang’s ear, then clapped his hands, “The whole thing was discovered by two outsiders; that’s when trouble started.”
“This!” Wu Keyang hesitated for a mont, then gritted his teeth, “The culprits must be captured, and all checkpoints and ports must be sealed. Nobody is allowed in or out. We can’t let the ntor know about this now; I must first confer with Great… What are you still dawdling for? Go and arrest them!”
Wu Keyang’s voice was a stern whisper.
Zheng Yuanning wiped his sweat with his sleeve, “This official will do it right away, right away.”
In the great hall, Li Yan rubbed his ears and leaned back as if he were drunk and feigning sleep.
“You have gained an opportunity for conversation.
Watching the boiling water in a daze, Cha Xiaodao’s eyes cleared, “Accept.”
“Was there a murder?”
Li Yan’s voice ca across.
As Cha Xiaodao dropped the noodles into the pot, watching the bubbles vigorously form, he smiled and said, “You are well-inford, aren’t you?”
“That ghost’s real father, none other than Chen Tianfang who hosted a banquet for , is now sitting at the dining table, along with officials from the provincial and county offices, nobles from Southern Zhili, and even the Canal Transport Governor sent from the capital, making Zhejiang a solid plate resting on our heads.”
“Sorry for causing you trouble.”
“What are you talking about! Dealing with villains and evildoers is sothing I can take or leave. Since you’ve been enraged, let’s stir up so trouble. However, being in unfamiliar territory, we still need to plan carefully.”
“I’ll follow your lead.”
“…Eh.”
“What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
As soon as Li Yan looked up, Wu Keyang returned to the banquet with a heavy expression.
On the stage, the Kunqu opera “The Palace of Eternal Life” was being perford, reaching the “Sudden Change” passage.
Chen Tianfang, engrossed in the opera, nodded to the rhythm. Without opening his eyes, he said, “Keyang, why so troubled?”
Wu Keyang replied, “Ah, just so trivial matters at the governnt office, no need for the ntor to concern himself.”
Only then did Mr. Tianfang open his eyes and said seriously to him, “If that’s the case, I won’t keep you after the al. Official duties are important. You didn’t gain your status easily; don’t let down the Emperor’s grace.”
“The ntor’s teachings are etched in my heart,” said Wu Keyang.
Li Yan glanced at Wu Keyang and then at Chen Tianfang, an idea suddenly forming in his mind.
“Xiaodao, have Yongchang summon Flying Thunder, and bring the victims and the body here.”
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Cha Xiaodao made soup noodles, divided them into three bowls, sprinkled green onions on top, and poured over hot oil before returning to the great hall.
The woman had dressed herself properly but was lost in a daze, looking utterly soulless.
Shopkeeper Hao’s face was wrapped in heavy bandages, his expression one of fearful numbness.
Cha Xiaodao placed the food tray on the table and asked the woman, “What’s your na?”
The woman snapped back to reality, “This commoner is called Hao Anshi.”
Cha Xiaodao nodded, “Eat the noodles.”
Then, glancing at the shopkeeper, he asked, “And you?”
“`
The man shuddered and spoke with a quaver, “This humble one is called Hao Guiwang.”
Cha Xiaodao passed a bowl to Cao Yongchang.
He took another bowl for himself, clearly not having prepared a portion for this Proprietor Hao.
“Explain to the whole story. Who are those people?”
Hao Anshi shakily lifted the noodle soup to her face, then suddenly broke into sobs, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing like pounding garlic: “Good sir, please leave quickly. The villain here covers the sky with one hand. If you don’t leave now, when the soldiers co knocking, you won’t be able to escape.”
Proprietor Hao was also kneeling on the ground, only kowtowing without daring to speak.
“I’m asking you, just answer , who are you, and who are those people?”
Hao Anshi sobbed and whimpered, unable to utter a word.
It was Hao Guiwang who first opened his mouth: “That man is a local gentry, the second son of Chen Tianfang, Chen Dong, a debaucher and rapist, a playboy. My wife and I only moved to Zhoushan after the new year, hoping to open a restaurant to make a living, but we didn’t expect…”
“Doesn’t the governnt take care of it?”
Hao Guiwang let out a bitter laugh: “Good sir, do you think those two officers were fakes? The magistrate here, Zheng Yuanning, is nothing but a house slave of the Chen Family, summoned and dismissed at their pleasure. We are rely small folks atop the balance scale, how can we possibly provoke them?”
Cha Xiaodao looked at Hao Guiwang as if he wanted to devour him: “If I were you, I’d rather be dead!”
Hao Guiwang continued to kowtow and cry without being able to say half a word.
“In such a great Zhoushan, in such a vast Chang Country, in such a large Ningbo Prefecture, is there really not a single official who would stand up for the people?”
“Either they have been dismissed, or forced to resign, or they have died inexplicably. Those who remain either dare not speak up against it or, if they manage to avoid being sullied, are considered great clean officials.”
Cha Xiaodao stared at Hao Guiwang: “Right now if I kill Chen Dong, you won’t be able to escape involvent either. I’m asking you, you spineless thing, now that things have co to this, do you dare to report to the officials?”
Hao Guiwang covered his head in agony: “It’s useless to go to the County Office, do you think such things are rare?”
“We’re not going to the County Office. Yongchang, after you finish your noodles, go to the wharf and call for Flying Thunder.” Cha Xiaodao said as he gulped down the hot soup with scallions: “We’re going to the Tianfei Pavilion.”
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Zhu Changyun raised his cup: “Before I ca, I only knew Mr. Tianfang as a gentry and rchant serving the court. I had no idea Mr. Tianfang also had such deep insights into Neo-Confucianism.”
“Mr. Zhu is too kind,” said Chen Tianfang. “I have only studied so basic lectures in my youth and was fortunate enough to beco a Juren. For decades, I haven’t progressed further. Now that I am old and my wisdom is dimming, I dare not discuss Neo-Confucianism with Mr. Zhu.”
Li Yan secretly yawned to himself.
But suddenly there was a commotion at the entrance, bustling to the extre, even disturbing the Kunqu opera on stage.
“What’s happening?”
A servant stumbled in, looking at Chen Tianfang at the wine table, unable to speak.
In front of the elegant and dignified redwood archway of the Tianfei Pavilion, a couple was kneeling down, Cha Xiaodao was driving a flat cart, on which lay a dead body.
The onlooking commoners were stacked three layers inside and three layers outside, so of them recognizing the brocade clothes on the corpse, their faces flushed with excitent and their voices growing louder and louder.
Chen Han clenched his fists and walked out. Seeing the corpse on the cart, his whole body trembled, pointing at Cha Xiaodao, who was sitting on the cart clutching his knees: “Seize him!”
Soldiers adorned with round helts, sabers, guns, and firearms sward in.
“Hold on.”
A host of guests poured out from the Tianfei Pavilion, and the one speaking up was none other than Li Yan.
Chen Han glared at Li Yan angrily: “What is the aning of this, Governor Li?”
“This man is my subordinate. Besides, what law has he broken that you want to arrest him?”
“He killed my brother.”
“`
“`
Li Yan narrowed his eyes and looked at him, “I’m not aware of Mr. Chen’s official post.”
“I hold no official position.”
Chen Han said indignantly.
“Then how does Mr. Chen presu to close a case on his own and, with a single command, have soldiers step forward to arrest soone? Could it be that they’re not paid by the imperial court?” Li Yan looked towards the helted and armored soldiers, “Which governnt office’s soldiers are you from?”
“They are soldiers from my Suzhou Nanying.”
The Lin’an Marquis also stepped forward; he first glanced at Chen Er’s body on the carriage, his eyelids twitched, then he spoke to Li Yan, “Does Governor Li have an objection?”
“Your soldiers obey soone else’s orders; would Zhou Yaifu’s Xiliuying listen to an ordinary citizen too?”
As these few people were arguing, Chen Tianfang was also helped out. When he saw his son’s body, he let out a gasp and staggered backwards a few steps, only steadied by the flurry of hands that caught him before he could fall.
Wu Keyang looked around, only to spot the dusty and disheveled Zheng Yuanning; he rushed over, “Didn’t I tell you to capture soone? How did he end up here?”
Zheng Yuanning wore a pained expression, “This man is quite formidable, we couldn’t hold onto him.”
“You shouldn’t have let him barge in here either!”
“That horse of his is truly wicked; our governnt office’s officials simply couldn’t stop him in ti.”
Wu Keyang snapped his sleeves in frustration and approached Cha Xiaodao, “Who are you? Why have you co here to create a disturbance? Did you kill the person in the carriage?”
Cao Yongchang on the carriage snorted, “Esteed official, there are two living people kneeling under the archway that you can’t see, but you’re so eager to move forward with the dead one on the carriage. Could it be that you are kin to vultures?”
“How dare you! Who gave you, a young whippersnapper, the right to speak?”
Wu Keyang was uncontrollably angry.
Cha Xiaodao then spoke, “The body behind involved an evil servant who, in broad daylight, forcibly entered a civilian ho and raped a woman. I happened upon it and dealt with him. Now, nothing in the shop has been touched, and the victim is here. It would be prudent for the official to question thoroughly.”
Wu Keyang scoffed, “All I see is a victim with the deceased. As for the truth, it’s not sothing you can cobble together on a whim.”
The entire scene was in chaos, with high officials, who were usually composed and elegant, now hot-tempered and agitated. Moreover, there were many onlookers among the local gentry and distinguished personages, mostly whispering and showing various expressions, so evidently delighted.
“Enough!”
An old man’s angry roar spread across the entrance, and everyone was brought to silence.
Chen Tianfang couldn’t stop coughing, already weak and feeble; he looked even more careworn and frail. He scanned the crowd but walked straight toward Li Yan.
“Governor Li, is this brave man under your command?”
“Indeed.”
“Is he registered?”
“His na is in the hands of the Liaodong General, Li Rui.”
“Good,” Chen Tianfang turned around, tossed aside his crutch, and knelt laboriously beside Zheng Yuanning, who looked like a dispirited quail.
Zheng Yuanning shivered and suddenly didn’t know what to do.
“Father, what are you doing?”
Chen Han hurriedly went to help.
Chen Tianfang shook off his hand and knelt before Zheng Yuanning, “Mr. Zheng is the local magistrate; it’s fitting that he examines this case. Now that the victim and the body are here, the truth must be discerned. I beseech Mr. Zheng for clarity.”
Zheng Yuanning, filled with righteous indignation, quickly helped Chen Tianfang to his feet, “Mr. Tianfang, rest assured, I will certainly vindicate your son.”
Unexpectedly, Chen Tianfang held onto Zheng Yuanning’s hand, “Not to vindicate my son, but to clear the victim’s na, to give justice to those wronged. This case involves a life, and according to Great Ming law, must be reviewed by the Divine Emperor himself before determining the guilt. The truth is as clear as day; if there has indeed been an injustice, it will not escape the eyes of the Divine Emperor’s law! If my son really committed such a heinous cri, not even a hundred deaths could absolve his guilt.”
With that, he gave a bitter smile, “I have failed in my duty as a father, and although the situation is not yet clear, based on my understanding of my unworthy son, what Governor Li’s subordinate says is likely true.”
“`
“Ah, ah, please rise, Sir.”
Chen Tianfang was helped up, his face so pale it was frightening. He then addressed Li Yan, “Governor Li, although the case has not been fully clarified, your subordinate has personally admitted to killing my son. According to the laws of the Great Ming, unless one is guilty of plotting rebellion, colluding with Japanese pirates, or banishing demons and other serious cris, or has an official task or carries the Royal Command Flag, even an imperial official cannot arbitrarily take a life. My son’s cri may deserve death, but your subordinate brother has also violated the laws of the Great Ming and should be taken into custody first to ascertain the truth before any punishnt is decided. What say you, Lord Governor?”
Li Yan’s eyelids dropped, and he inadvertently glanced at Cha Xiaodao.
Being pushed into the Tianfei Pavilion, the intention was to blow this matter up. Even if the Chen and Ke families could cover the sky with one hand, the officials all over Zhejiang still needed to save face. At the very least, after such a stir, they wouldn’t dare to pull any too obvious tricks.
Having thought this, Cha Xiaodao began to raise his head, then slowly lowered it again. Li Yan then clasped his hands and said, “Mr. Tianfang’s words are not without reason.”
Li Yan’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly said, “However, this brother of mine hails from Dragon Tiger Mountain, sent to by the Dragon Tiger Supervisor from Liaodong. According to the laws of the Great Ming, he should be detained as a suspect awaiting interrogation, can only be questioned, and cannot be subject to torture or imprisonnt.”
Wu Keyang pressed, “Are you to be taken at your word? Where’s the proof?”
“There is a token from the Heavenly Master Tao of Liaodong. If Mr. Wu does not believe it, you can ask Dragon Tiger Mountain yourself. After all, a paper crane doesn’t take long to travel back and forth from here to Jiangxi.”
What Li Yan said was naturally a lie, but for one, he could use it to buy ti, and for another, it allowed him to test the attitude of Dragon Tiger Mountain.
It was obvious that with the Chen and Ke families fostering the Pig Dragon to bolster their own forces, Dragon Tiger Mountain would surely see them as a thorn in the flesh…
“Very well, I shall indeed inquire.”
Wu Keyang said coldly.
“Zili, my son.”
Chen Tianfang groaned.
Zili was Chen Han’s courtesy na, and, hearing this, he hurriedly supported Chen Tianfang.
“Father.”
“You handle the rest. I’m a bit tired.”
He bowed to the many gentry and celebrities present, “As an elderly man weakened by age, I am overwheld by the pain of losing my son, and I can’t endure much more. Let’s end today’s banquet. If there is a chance in the future, I will personally visit and apologize to you all.”
Half-collapsing into Chen Han’s arms, his expression was one of sorrow, “Let’s go, quickly.”
“Co here, take these two into custody. We will interrogate them back at the governnt office.”
“This matter has nothing to do with my nephew.”
Cha Xiaodao pointed at Cao Yongchang.
Zheng Yuanning said nonchalantly, “The monk might run away but the temple won’t.”
With that said, he ordered the officials to lock up Cha Xiaodao and take him back to the governnt office.
“What are you looking at, disperse! All of you, disperse!”
Governnt officials tried to drive away the crowd, but they could not silence the growing cheers and cries of excitent.
“Heaven has eyes!”
“Retribution, this is retribution!”
After seeing his father off, Chen Han stood in front of Cha Xiaodao.
“A good dog does not block the way.”
Cha Xiaodao glared at him coldly.
“When I have the ti, I will surely pay you a visit, Officer Cha.”
Chen Han stepped aside, and Li Yan was about to follow Cha Xiaodao out when Chen Han said ominously behind Li Yan, “Governor Li, I initially wanted to make friends with you, but it seems, as of today, our vendetta is irreconcilable.”
Li Yan ignored him and walked away straight.
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