Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Hit A Board
Zheng Fu and Zheng Dianshi were important figures in Guangling County, and their status and power had been painstakingly managed by the three generations of the Zheng Clan for decades. In his generation, he had even held many of the great powers of the county government, and even worked together with the county magistrate and the master book to empty the county magistrate. It could be said that he, Zheng Fu, was the true owner of the current county government, and he had always kept his mouth shut.

However, it was such a person called the fear or reverence of the county government that was suddenly pushed to the ground by a servant and knelt in front of Lu Zhen. The impact of such a change was truly too great, causing everyone inside and outside the hall to be a little absent-minded. They didn’t know what to say or do, so they could only stare blankly at everything in front of them.

Among the people present, Zheng Fu was the one who suffered the most. He never dreamed that he would have such a day. Surprised, he was filled with boundless anger, and then he wanted to struggle to his feet. But now that Lin Lie had seized his pulse, his entire body was sour and weak. He couldn’t stand up at all, and his struggling and twisting body made him look even more miserable.

The servants on both sides quickly reacted. Seeing that he was restrained, they subconsciously wanted to step forward to save him. After all, in their hearts, they had long regarded Zheng Fu as their only superior. However, just as they leaned forward, they felt a dignified gaze from above. The pressure contained in this gaze caused their movements to subconsciously pause, and they did not dare to move.

At the same time, Lu Zhen said again, “Zheng Fu, as an official of the county government, knowing that this official is questioning the case, it is crime one to barge into the court without complaint. In court, it is crime two to roar and disturb the trial. It is crime three to disrespect the superior and speak disrespectfully. There are so many people watching each of these three crimes. Do you have anything to say?”

Hearing this, Zheng Fu’s expression changed. He knew that he was indeed careless this time, but Lu Zhen had completely taken advantage of him!

That’s right, he, Zheng Dianshi, is indeed the true owner of the county government, and his words are much more useful than the county magistrate, Lu Zhen. However, all of this was only a private matter. If it was placed on the stage, it was impossible for anyone to dare to admit it. Even he himself did not dare to say so. After all, the imperial court had its own system, and the county magistrate was the head of the county government, the one who gave the order.

And today, in front of everyone’s eyes, Lu Zhen suddenly attacked. Even he himself was unable to refute it, let alone his subordinates. Regardless of whether it was the clerks or the servants on both sides, they could only watch honestly from the side, and no one dared to step forward to speak up for them. Lu Zhen did not accuse him of anything because these incidents had happened in front of them.

This was the power that Lu Zhen relied on in the end, because behind him was the Great Ming Imperial Court, and this was not something a small local bully could withstand. Perhaps afterwards, he had a lot of conspiracy methods to deal with the county magistrate who had no foundation, but at this moment, in front of hundreds of people in the hall of the county government, he had no room to resist at all. In the face of absolute power and strength, all schemes and connections were like snow under the sun, melting when seen!

Therefore, after opening his mouth, Zheng Fu could only lower his head and admit defeat. This time, he had indeed lost. However, he had secretly made up his mind that even if there were endless troubles after this, he would eradicate Lu Zhen, this hateful fellow. No matter what method he used, he would pay any price!

However, it was clear that Lu Zhen could not give him such a chance. After suppressing the opponent, Lu Zhen glanced at everyone in front of him and asked, “Who can tell this official how to punish such three crimes?”

The hall was silent again, and Zheng Fu was panicking, feeling that things were not going well.

Strictly speaking, just these few charges were enough to take off Zheng Fu’s official uniform, demote him to a commoner, and even condemn him to prison. However, no one dared to say such words. After all, Zheng Fu had accumulated power for many years, and the Zheng Clan had great influence in the region. No one dared to offend them.

Seeing that no one answered his question, Lu Zhen suddenly sneered, “We can talk about the other charges later, but this charge of disrespecting the superior and roaring at the court can’t be delayed. Come with me and drag him down. We have to face the 30 blunders!” As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to the stick on the table, took out a fire stick from it, and waved it to the ground.

This time, everyone was even more dumbfounded. Those servants were all standing on the spot like clay sculptures, none of them accepting their orders.

This county magistrate really dared to do it. He actually wanted to hit the board of Zheng Dianshi. This was not a joke. Who dared to hit him? Wasn’t he courting death?

Zheng Fu quickly calmed down after the initial shock. Seeing everyone present react like this, his heart was even more calm. There was even a sneer at the corner of his mouth. He wanted to see what he, County Magistrate Lu, could do to him under such circumstances. Could it be that he could do it himself?

Lu Zhen’s expression was also gloomy. Although this result was already within his expectations, it really happened and still made him feel a burst of anger. Fortunately, he was prepared, so he pointed at the two nearest servants in front of him and said, “You two, take him down and torture him. If you don’t obey, then take off your skin and leave the county government by yourself!”

That’s right, this was his way of dealing with the current situation. He used these people’s positions to threaten them to obey his orders!

The two people who had been pointed at immediately felt conflicted. They could tell that the county magistrate was going to take it seriously this time, or even fight Zheng Dianshi head-on. And what was even more tragic was that these little people were still sandwiched between these two adults …

Although Lu Zhen had always been overlooked, he was still a county magistrate in name. It was only a single sentence to deal with these government servants. Moreover, he was still in the lobby right now, in front of so many people.

After a moment of hesitation and a brief exchange of glances, the two finally clenched their teeth and made their final decision. After agreeing in a low voice, they arrived in front of Zheng Fu and dragged him to the lobby door with Lin Lie. Then, they quickly pressed him to the ground.

“You guys are so bold!” This time, Zheng Fu really panicked. The fear of being tortured was secondary. Thinking about how he was going to be tortured in front of so many people, he was afraid that he would lose all face from now on. He was truly shocked and furious. However, under the control of Lin Lie and the others, he was unable to break free. Soon, he was stripped of his clothes and revealed his white buttocks.

The group of people outside the hall revealed excitement. Today was indeed the day. They actually saw such a good show. This was a wonderful show that could not be seen for decades, or even a hundred years. The county magistrate was actually going to torture the fourth master, and this was the county magistrate, Zheng Fu and Zheng Dianshi, who only covered the sky with one hand! If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn’t have dared to believe it.

Under the eager gaze of the people outside the hall, and under the overwhelming gaze of County Magistrate Lu, the two servants finally crossed their hearts and said softly to Zheng Fu, “Fourth Master, I have offended you!” He raised the long flat board in his hand and struck at his buttocks.

However, the two of them still had great misgivings in their hearts. Although their movements looked at the standard, the strength of the board that landed on their bodies was pitifully small. Although it sounded like a cracking sound, it could only make Zheng Fu’s skin red at most. It didn’t hurt at all, let alone hurt him.

Even so, this was still a great humiliation to Zheng Fu. He knew that his face had been completely ruined, and the prestige he had built up over the years had mostly dissipated as a result. It could be said that the symbolic significance of this board was far greater than its actual use.

Just when everyone felt that it was about time, Lu Zhen suddenly said, “Stop!”

At this time, only half of the thirty blows had been fought. The two servants felt that the punishment was enough, so they heaved a sigh of relief. Even if they didn’t hit hard, this slab was several times more tiring for them than using all their strength to torture them.

But Lu Zhen’s subsequent words completely shattered their fluke mentality, “Are you guys using torture or giving people massages? Do you really think that this official and the people outside the court are blind and deaf? You actually dare to cheat for selfish ends?”

Only then did they know that the lord didn’t stop because he felt that it was enough, but because he thought that they had beaten them lightly. This caused their bodies to tremble and they knew that the matter was really troublesome.

“This official said that you should understand the meaning of heavy responsibility, right? If there are any more selfish people who don’t do their best, then join Zheng Fu in the crime and eat these 30 boards together.” As Lu Zhen said that, he waved his hand again, “You guys should consider the execution yourself!”

The two servants had bitter expressions on their faces. They didn’t want to offend Zheng Fu, much less drag themselves into it. Now that he was under pressure, there seemed to be no other choice. Moreover, if he said that he had offended him, and had already completely offended him by pressing him to the ground and torturing him, could it be that he would still think of his own good?

After thinking about this, the two finally gritted their teeth and calmed down.

This time, they didn’t say anything else. The two of them immediately swung the board in their hands and used their full strength to ruthlessly slap the target on the ground.

“Pa! Pa!” The sound wasn’t as loud as before, but the damage caused was multiplied. Zheng Fu on the ground immediately let out a miserable scream.

Everyone outside the hall was shocked when they saw this. In the past, they had only seen ordinary people screaming miserably. Today, they finally saw Zheng Fu suffer this kind of pain. Many people who had been bullied by the Zheng Clan felt even more delighted. They stared at Zheng Dianshi, who was screaming miserably on the ground but couldn’t move, and didn’t want to let go of any of the scenes.

After only five blows, Zheng Fu’s originally white buttocks had already been torn, and blood oozed out. At this time, Lu Zhen said, “Stop!”

Everyone raised their heads in surprise again. They didn’t know what the county magistrate was going to say, and the two executioners were even more nervous. This time, they didn’t have enough strength. Don’t tell me that the county magistrate still didn’t think it was enough?

@ @ @ @

Feeling …