LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 38 - I
Jing Xingzhi stood in the crowd, relatively close to Wang Xiang and Tan Xingwang, who were kneeling on the ground. He could clearly see Wang Xiang’s expression.
Observing Wang Xiang’s ‘efforts’ a slight curl appeared on Jing Xingzhi’s lips as he thought to himself: ‘The first person has retracted his confession.’
He Zhifang, seated above, trembled and questioned Wang Xiang with wide eyes, “What are you going to say? Do you realize that retracting your confession and giving false testimony could lead to punishment?”
Wang Xiang, frightened by He Zhifang, ceased his shouting, and his face, once tear-streaked, now appeared as dumbfounded as a chicken.
Before He Zhifang could witness Wang Xiang’s calming down, Shen Fang stepped forward to interject.
“The essence of Magistrate He’s words is this: if you indeed committed the acts you confessed to and then recant your confession, obstructing Magistrate He in his official duties, you will be subjected to twenty lashes. However, if you were deceived or provided false testimony for other reasons, it will depend on the circumstances,” Shen Fang explained.
On the surface, Shen Fang was invited by Zhang Tong, but in reality, it was his teacher Fang Qichen behind the scenes. In ancient times, a well-managed teacher was like a big supporter, but if not, he could be half a father.
Wang Xiang, upon hearing Shen Fang’s words, appreciated the straightforward manner in which the new official spoke. He believed He Zhifang was attempting to deceive him.
Regarding the ruling decision, which depended on the circumstances, Wang Xiang didn’t let it bother him. If he hit a wall, so be it. It was better than losing his head. He had already experienced the horror of losing his head and not even having a head left in the end.
Recalling how He Zhifang could still enjoy a big pig’s head after his beheading, Wang Xiang, a gangster who hadn’t tasted meat for a long time, felt resentful.
He spoke up loudly, “I was deceived with money to provide false evidence! I was only eighteen years old ten years ago and have never left the county twice. How would I know where the bandits are?”
Shen Fang inquired from the hall, “Then who deceived you into giving false testimony?”
Hearing the question, He Zhifang’s legs trembled, and he looked towards the Zhang family’s butler below, hoping to see if the Zhang family could intervene.
But what could Butler Zhang do?
They couldn’t bring Zhang Mingyu’s brother, Governor Zhang, to try the case. If the governor intervened, the matter would truly reach the emperor. At that point, Master Zhang Tong, representing the emperor, would convey the situation to the capital, and not everything could remain concealed.
The butler sent by the Zhang family lowered his head and held the land deed for half of the shops on the most prosperous street in the state capital. He hoped that, depending on the case’s outcome, he could persuade Shen Fang to be accommodating and secure Zhang Mingyu’s release by bending the rules.
A dead person would remain dead, as long as it wasn’t his master’s brother who faced execution.
Zhang Mingyu couldn’t clarify matters here, and he couldn’t blame his master for being careless, considering that half of his family’s wealth had already been spent.
.
Unexpectedly, Wang Xiang suddenly turned around, pointing at Butler Zhang and said, “That’s the guy! He’s the one who sent someone to give me a thousand taels. I saw him that night with the county magistrate. The magistrate has sworn that I won’t be beheaded!”
Wang Xiang exclaimed; anger evident on his face.
Butler Zhang clenched his fists in his sleeves, his face turned pale, and he retorted, “I have never seen you before! What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Of course, you’ve never seen me; you sent someone to see me,” Wang Xiang recalled. “The man you sent had a big pimple on his face. After I took the money, I followed him secretly. I saw you talking to that man in the Nanfeng Pavilion! The shuanger who received you is the top one in the Nanfeng Pavilion!”
Wang Xiang spoke convincingly, causing Butler Zhang and He Zhifang to feel like they were caught in a big whirlpool.
Seeing the opportunity, Shen Fang snatched the gavel from He Zhifang’s hand: “Magistrate He, how can you explain yourself, protecting people involved in colluding with bandits and murder? What a good skill!”
“Someone, please caught Magistrate He for now,” Shen Fang waved his hand, and the people he brought along swiftly captured He Zhifang.
Butler Zhang hesitated for a moment, and his hands and feet were swiftly tied.
He Zhifang was ousted from the chair, and Shen Fang took control.
Shen Fang, with a slim figure, looked much more composed than He Zhifang.
As officers were apprehending individuals, Tan Xingwang looked at the adults above and changed his gaze back to Jing Xingzhi, who had instructed him not to speak.
In a daze, Jing Xingzhi observed Tan Xingwang.
Tan Xingwang winked at Jing Xingzhi and subtly pointed at himself with his thumb: Was it my turn to speak?
Jing Xingzhi still appeared confused when he saw Tan Xingwang’s thumb pointing at himself.
He had forgotten about telling Wang Zhuang to warn Tan Xingwang, as his instruction was to prevent Tan Xingwang from being killed halfway, not to make Tan Xingwang follow his every command.
Seeing Jing Xingzhi making no move, Tan Xingwang grimaced and turned his head with aggrieved eyes.
Tan Xingwang had been enduring a difficult time these past few days, plagued by dreams of Chen Fulang being tormented and the little shuanger he had watched over for several lifetimes facing misery. Although in the dream, it was Chen Fulang and the little shuanger suffering, it was Tan Xingwang’s heart that was truly tormented.
He was a tall, muscular man who had cried more these days than he had in the past twenty-four years.