Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 38

Chapter 38 Questions (2)
The fact that Lu Zhen dared to pursue the Tian Clan and Zheng Dianshi’s crimes surprised the people who heard the trial, but for ordinary people, wang Shiwu’s actions of daring to sue the two people in front of the court were even more shocking.

As the saying goes, the people do not fight with officials and the poor do not compete with the rich. This time, wang Shifu has violated both of them. Quite a few people were shocked. They either felt that Wang 15 had gone crazy, or thought that he was completely helpless, so they decided to kill him. However, this net was not something a small fish like him could break, even if he had risked his life.

Only a handful of people with meticulous thoughts could tell that something was amiss. Although wang Shiwu stuttered, the meaning behind it was very clear. This was not something an ordinary citizen could do in front of officials and so many people in the lobby. There was probably something else behind this.

This was also the case.

Ordinary onlookers felt that wang 15th didn’t want to die anymore and actually dared to do so. But in fact, he knew in his heart that compared to the threat posed to him by the uninvited guests who suddenly appeared in his home that night, suing the Tian Clan was nothing at all. He could still clearly remember what had happened that night–

It was a night when the north wind was howling. Wang shiliu, who was sleeping under the blanket, suddenly woke up. He found a black shadow sitting beside him. When he woke up, a knife was placed around his neck. “Don’t make a sound, or you’ll know the result.”

“Hero, spare my life. My family has long been poor, and I really can’t afford to take out any money” Wang Shiliu was frightened and hurriedly begged for mercy.

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to harm you. On the contrary, I’m here to help you.” That person’s voice was very deep and his tone was very flat. There wasn’t even the slightest fluctuation, but this made Wang Shiliu feel even more chilled, “Help me …”

“I know what happened to your family a few months ago. Are you planning on swallowing your anger like this?”

“What else can I do if I can’t bear to swallow my words? My youngest son is still in the county government prison.”

As long as you are willing to sue the Tian Clan and Shi Zheng Fu, who is helping them behind the scenes, I can guarantee that you and your family will receive a fair trial and that your youngest son will return safely to reunite with you.

“I’m just an ordinary citizen. How dare I sue them? Even if I do, I won’t be able to accomplish anything.”

“I have my own plans. Just do as you say. Otherwise, not only you, but your 16-year-old grandson will also die.”

This threat was so straightforward, but it immediately scared wang 15th. Right now, wang 15th valued the lives of his little grandson the most. Moreover, the man whispered, “Don’t you want to avenge your two sons and grandsons and get justice back?”

Being bewitched by such a threat, wang Shifu was finally tempted and nodded in agreement. Then the man told him what he had been told at the trial and made sure he remembered it. At last, he said, “As for when to go to the county government to complain, I will give you the news. By the way, ordinary lawsuits can’t be of any use, so I want you to beat the drum of grievance. At that time, the county magistrate will make the decision for you!”

When wang 15 recovered from his shock, he discovered that the other party had disappeared without a trace. If he didn’t remember everything clearly, he would have thought that he was dreaming.

And last night, that person appeared again and promised that he would come this morning to plead his grievances. There was no other way to think about it, so wang 15 could only brave it out, and judging from the current situation, it was really a success. This made him even more fearful of the black-clothed man. Not only did this fellow come and go without a trace, he could also make the people of the county government change their original attitudes. What a terrifying fellow he must be.

He didn’t know that the one who really dominated all of this was Lord Qingtian, County Magistrate Lu, who was sitting high above him. That ghostly shadow was just a servant following the previous one.

@ @ @ @

While everyone was whispering, the Tian Clan’s Old Master Tian Kui was finally brought into the lobby. As one of the wealthy people in the city, his mansion was not far from the county government, so he was brought over in a short while.

Originally, he was a little strange. With his relationship with Zheng Fu, he actually didn’t receive the slightest bit of wind beforehand? It wasn’t until they arrived at the lobby and saw the somewhat unfamiliar county magistrate Lu sitting in the courtroom and not seeing Zheng Dianshi that they felt that something was amiss.

Fortunately, he was also a knowledgeable person, and he quickly calmed down. As he bowed, he said, “May I ask, my lord, what crime did the grass-dwellers commit? How could they be called here to interrogate him like this?”

“How dare you!” Unexpectedly, this question was exchanged for Lu Zhen’s reprimand. Immediately after, he knocked on the shocking tree and stared at him, “Tian Kui, are you famous for your contributions?”

“This … never.” Tian Kui was confused for a moment before shaking his head.

“Since that’s the case, how dare you not kneel before this official and dare to stand there and speak recklessly? How presumptuous!” Lu Zhen snorted, “Push him down and answer!”

Only then did Tian Kui understand what was going on. He felt a burst of anger in his heart, but there was nothing he could do about it. Big Ming’s hierarchy was rather strict. Apart from scholars and above who could only bow and kowtow when meeting officials, most people had to kneel and kowtow. However, because he had always had a good relationship with the county government and had an extraordinary status, he had long since ignored this point. It was only now that Lu Zhen brought it up that he remembered it.

Tian Kui was also someone who could afford to let go. Although he was unhappy, he still took the initiative to kneel down obediently and shouted, “Little Tian Kui pays his respects to the county elder!” After all, a hero would not suffer a loss before his eyes.

Everyone was excited when they saw this. Master Tian was also a famous tyrant in the county. No one had ever seen him bow so lowly.

“This time, I will not punish you for your first offense. Next time, I will punish you severely.” ‘”Tian Kui, this official is asking you, do you know the crime of the fifteenth prince of the county accusing you of forcibly occupying his fertile land and killing someone?” Lu Zhen taught him another lesson before turning his words to the main topic. “Tian Kui, this official is asking you. Do you know the crime of forcibly occupying his fertile land and killing someone?”

“Master, the grass-roots people are wronged.” At that time, Tian Kui cried out, “The grass-roots people have always been kind to others. How could they dare to commit such a crime against the law? This is just his false accusation.”

“In that case, is it not true that Wang Shiliu accused your family of stealing his land and sent people to kill his two sons and one grandson?” Lu Zhen’s gaze was fixed on the other party, and his expression was extremely serious.

“I” Tian Kui subconsciously wanted to deny it, but he heard the discussions outside.

Everyone knew that the Tian Clan relied on their influence to run rampant in the county. It was only because he colluded with Zheng Fu that everyone dared to be angry and not dare to speak. Although half a year had passed since the incident with the Wang 15 Clan, many people still remembered that some of the insiders couldn’t help but start talking outside. Some words naturally fell into Tian Kui’s ears.

Tian Kui, who was about to deny it, was stunned for a moment before he changed his mind. The magistrate’s attitude today was too strange. He did not dare to take risks, so he said, “Lord, there is indeed a matter of buying land, but it is wrongful to say that the grass-dwellers were forced to buy it.” As for killing people, the grass dwellers didn’t have the courage to do so. It was only because there was a deviation in the price when they bought the land that the Wang Clan members came to the house in displeasure, and the slave protectors of the grass-dwellers were eager to argue with them. As a result, they accidentally crashed into the ground and died.

“At that time, the grass-roots people reported the case to the officials. It was also a case personally handled by Zheng Dianshi of the yamen. Everyone knew the truth. Afterwards, someone from the Wang Clan came to the yamen to disturb them and was imprisoned. I hope that your Excellency can learn a lesson and return the grass-roots people’s innocence.”

His words were truly capable of reversing the black and white. He actually shifted the responsibility for one thing onto the Wang Clan, instead, his Tian Clan became the victim. Moreover, Lu Zhen intentionally or unintentionally dragged the county government and Zheng Fu into the water, so if Lu Zhen wanted to reverse the case, he had to weigh the seriousness of it.

Even if Lu Zhen had been prepared, he couldn’t help but frown. And wang Shiwu was even more shocked. He knew very well what awaited him and his grandson if he could not succeed this time, so he immediately kowtowed and shouted, “Lord, the grass-roots people are wronged. He … what he said is not the truth. My poor grandson and two sons were killed by the evil slaves of his family …” As he spoke, tears rolled down his cheeks, not pitiful at all.

“Wang Shiliu, don’t randomly bite here. This matter is not what you said. When did my Tian Clan do such a thing? Can you find a person to prove it?” Tian Kui immediately retorted with a cold smile. He was certain that no one dared to stand up for the Wang Clan. This offended not only him, but also Zheng Dianshi in the county government.

Indeed, not to mention the people who had heard rumors, even the people who had witnessed what had happened that day would not be able to stand up and testify at this moment. This was not only because they were afraid of Tian Kui’s influence, but also because the people were naturally taboo from dealing with the government. Who would dare to enter the main hall and speak at this time?

“Shut up, this official. This official will naturally be able to determine who is right and who is wrong in this matter!” Lu Zhen slapped the woods again and controlled the scene. Then, he swept his eyes over the two of them and made a quick calculation in his heart.

At this moment, a person slowly walked in from outside. His face was full of gloom, but Zheng Fu finally rushed back. He hadn’t expected Lu Zhen to make such a big fuss, which made him even more angry, but he was always gloomy and didn’t know if he should go in and openly make an enemy of Lu Zhen.

It wasn’t until he saw the awkward silence in the hall that his heart was certain. It was clear that Lu Zhen wasn’t completely in control of the matter. This was a great thing for Zheng Fu. “Since that’s the case, why don’t I wait for you to make a fool of yourself before coming out to preside over the overall situation? I’ll take the opportunity to kick you out of the county government.”