Chapter 143: One Hundred and Fifty: The Benevolent Are Invincible, Public Trial Across the County

One Hundred and Fifty: The Benevolent Are Invincible, Public Trial Across the County

As the morning light had just shifted onto the gilded characters "Longcheng County Office" on the plaque.

Below the plaque, the wide front gate saw a constant stream of people coming and going.

The chill accumulated overnight along Lu Ming Street was dispelled by the bustling crowds gathering from all corners of the county.

government office runners skillfully carried out the official desks and chairs originally placed in the county courtroom.

They were set up outdoors.

Clerks arranged the gavel, the bamboo slip box, and the teacup on the desk.

The setup was complete.

The standing bailiffs lined up neatly on both sides, holding black-and-red batons.

Another public trial held in the street.

If memory served, this was the third such trial since the young county magistrate took office.

Yet this one differed from the previous two minor affairs.

This time, the Longcheng County Office had summoned a full-county public trial.

Naturally, the scale and impact were far greater.

Moreover, there were higher officials from Jiangzhou here to inspect.

At the hour of Chen, twenty-eight minutes past.

People arrived one after another.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong entered with Shen Shen Xisheng and Wang Wang Lengran.

As the local magistrate, Magistrate Ouyang Rong naturally presided over today's public trial.

He wore a water-green official robe, walked forward calmly, and took his seat at the head of the desk.

Shen Shen Xisheng and Wang Wang Lengran, both in vermilion robes and draped in reddish-brown cloaks, sat on two specially prepared high-backed chairs flanking the desk.

Most of Longcheng's scholars, commoners, merchants, and gentry gathered outside, filling the entire street to overflowing.

In front of Magistrate Ouyang Rong's desk, two rows of standing bailiffs chanted orders to maintain order, leaving a cleared space in the center where today's main defendants would appear.

Liu Liu Ziwen was brought forward by bailiffs led by Yan Yan Liulang; Liu Liu Zian, Liu Liu Zilin, and others waited among the crowd outside the courtroom.

Liu Liu Ziwen stood in the open space in the center, surrounded by murmurs and pointing fingers from all sides, his face dark as if dripping with water.

The principal defendant today was Liu Liu Ziwen, representing the Liu family.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong met Liu Liu Ziwen's gaze.

One above, one below.

He remembered their first meeting, at the Yuanming Pavilion's charity banquet, when they had exchanged warm pleasantries.

Yet no one could have foreseen that, in barely two months, their positions had reversed utterly.

One now sat as the presiding magistrate of the public trial; the other became the condemned prisoner about to be denounced by thousands.

The varied stares from all directions made Liu Liu Ziwen's hands, hidden in his sleeves, tremble slightly, his eyelid twitching.

When had Liu Liu Ziwen ever been subjected to such scrutiny and judgment by commoners?

A disgrace beyond measure.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong's expression remained unchanged; he raised his gavel with practiced ease.

Bang—!

"Court is in session!"

The entire crowd fell silent.

The public trial officially began.

Even as witnesses and evidence were brought forward one by one on the open-air courtroom.

Not far away, behind a red wall belonging to the Su Fu on Lu Ming Street, two heads peeked over the wall, gazing out.

"Miss, how's the height? Perfect, right? I knew you'd come—I specially set up a stool for you this morning, just the right height."

"Should I praise you then?"

"Oh no, no need, Miss! It's my duty!"

Seeing the young lady beside her, with her loose side-braid and plum-blossom makeup, tilting her head curiously, the round-faced maid quickly corrected herself, waving her small hands earnestly.

The plum-blossom makeup lady's lips curved slightly, then suppressed the smile.

At this moment, mistress and maid both stood on stools, leaning over the wall, watching the street trial unfold nearby.

Thanks to their elevated position, they could see over the sea of bobbing heads to the events taking place in the open space before the county office.

Sister Caishou seemed to remember something and turned curiously:

"By the way, Miss, didn't you say you didn't want to involve yourself in Magistrate Ouyang's affairs anymore?"

Su Su Guoer fell silent.

This time, she didn't snap back with her usual sarcasm; instead, she shook her head gently, her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding beyond the wall, murmuring thoughtfully:

"This time is different."

"Oh." Sister Caishou didn't press further, nodding.

Her mistress's moods shifted often; she was used to it. If she had to investigate every change in her mistress's heart, she'd die of exhaustion.

Getting paid to worry about her mistress's feelings, right?

That's not the concern of a maid earning one hundred and eighty wen a month!

"Miss, Miss, Master Magistrate Ouyang is so handsome." Sister Caishou's eyes sparkled.

"Is that your focus?"

"What else? Aren't you watching him? Or are you watching Chenjun Xie the Young Xie Xiao Niangzi?"

Su Su Guoer shook her head. "I'm watching the trial."

"What's so interesting about a trial? And it's strange—why doesn't Master Magistrate Ouyang just find an excuse to seize the Liu family's property? He already arrested them yesterday at the ribbon-cutting ceremony…"

Sister Caishou's round face twisted in confusion as she muttered:

"There are so many ways to punish the Liu family. He has such power, and Chenjun Xie the Young Xie Xiao Niangzi helps him—he has a hundred ways to punish evil and reward virtue, to make everyone cheer. Why make it so complicated? Why hold a public trial?"

"Even the accounting investigation and the two previous court sessions—oh, Master Magistrate Ouyang is excellent in every way, but his methods are too gentle. Miss, isn't this what the books call 'scholarly naivety'?"

Su Su Guoer's clear eyes reflected the calm figure behind the desk on the street.

In truth, when she learned last night that Magistrate Ouyang Rong planned to hold a public trial against the Liu family, she had been surprised, then fell silent.

Su Su Guoer shook her head gently:

"I thought he was just a naive scholar before—I believed his refusal to strike hard against the Liu family, his insistence on unnecessary procedures, was scholarly arrogance…

"But now I see it's the opposite. Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan knows exactly what he's doing—or rather, what he is doing. Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan has remained calm from the start, even terrifyingly so."

Sister Caishou froze, never having heard such an assessment from her mistress, and asked: "What do you mean?"

Su Su Guoer sighed:

"As a local magistrate, his power is immense—even if he's just newly appointed. Moreover, he doesn't just have the support of the Longcheng County Office; he also has Sister Chenjun Xie, a Qi Refiner, aiding him. His strength rivals the Liu family's."

"And over the years, the Liu family has indeed provoked the wrath of heaven and the people of Longcheng; Liu Liu Ziwen and others are utterly wicked."

Su Su Guoer paused, then nodded:

"Logically, against such an enemy who has stirred righteous fury, Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan could use any extralegal means—he could have arranged for the Liu brothers to 'commit suicide' last night, or even crushed them with brutal force, and most commoners would have cheered."

"But Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan didn't. He restrained himself every time, strictly controlling the boundaries of his power, never abusing it."

Sister Caishou nodded slowly, bewildered. "Yes, so Master Magistrate Ouyang is still kind-hearted, too gentle—isn't that right?"

"One or two times might be mercy, but from the initial investigation of the Eastern Warehouse to now, he's always acted this way. Even yesterday, when he was nearly assassinated by the Liu family's underhanded tricks, he didn't rage or retaliate with private punishment—and today he holds a full-county public trial…"

Su Su Guoer shook her head:

"It can only mean one thing.

"Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan is fully aware: the moral justification of punishing evil and rewarding virtue, and the instinct to hate wickedness, grant him no extra freedom beyond his legal authority.

"Nor do they exempt him from his duty to treat all taxpayers in Longcheng—yes, even the accused Liu brothers—with equal and fair judgment.

"To maintain this awareness consistently: the power of a county magistrate, in Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan's hands, is force—not brutality.

"When he resumed office that day and held his first street trial, declaring that Longcheng would only ever handle one thing—now I see, he has never deviated from it."

The round-faced maid listened, stunned, then nodded thoughtfully: "Miss means… what Master Magistrate Ouyang said about famine relief, flood control, and justice?"

Su Su Guoer didn't answer, turning to Sister Caishou with a sigh:

"I finally understand what Sister Chenjun Xie meant by the Way of the Benevolent Ruler. Only such a man can transform power into invincible strength—every observer, even some enemies, will secretly hope for his victory."

After a pause, this young lady of the Su family, long hidden from the world, stared unblinkingly beyond the wall, utterly unconcerned with the trial's outcome or whether the young magistrate would succeed; her voice clear and sharp, she declared first:

"Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan belongs in the State Council of Shendu."

"Ah!" Sister Caishou gasped, leaning back. "Then he's a chancellor-level talent?"

Su Su Guoer said nothing, her gaze fixed straight ahead, lost in thought.

Sister Caishou gave up and turned back to peering over the wall.

Just as the mistress and maid had been chatting, the open-air courtroom on Lu Ming Street had descended into a stubborn struggle.

"Silence!"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong slammed his gavel, surveyed the crowd, then spoke directly:

"Liu Liu Ziwen, do you acknowledge your guilt?"

Liu Liu Ziwen lowered his eyes, staring at the floor. "Forgive this humble subject's ignorance—I do not know what crime Your Honor refers to."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong turned and ordered:

"Bring forth the witnesses and evidence."

Not long after, Yan Yan Liulang led a group of constables in carrying a heavy wooden barrel and placing it on the empty floor of the courtroom.

Facing all eyes, Magistrate Ouyang Rong scanned the crowd and declared loudly:

"Ladies and gentlemen, observe this object—seized from the inner chamber of Di Gong Zha. It is filled with demonic oil. Dozens more such barrels remain within Di Gong Zha; if all were detonated, they could easily destroy the water gate. I suspect past collapses were caused by this very substance."

With a nod to Yan Yan Liulang and others, they withdrew some oily liquid from the barrel and demonstrated its power before the entire assembly.

Instantly, under the sunlight, blazing fire and deafening explosions turned the onlookers' faces pale.

This was only a fraction—imagine hundreds of such barrels! No water gate, no matter how sturdy, could withstand it… In an instant, waves of outraged murmurs swept through the crowd.

This time, Magistrate Ouyang Rong did not waste words asking Liu Liu Ziwen if he recognized the object—he directly ordered the summoning of County Assistant Official Diao and several attendants.

They had been taken by Magistrate Ouyang Rong and Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang to Longshou Mountain to witness the secret oil transport.

Upon arrival, County Assistant Official Diao and the attendants vividly recounted how Liu family craftsmen had smuggled Jiao oil into the gate that night.

Liu Liu Ziwen's expression grew darker.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong ignored him and continued:

"Bring forth the Liu family craftsmen who repaired the gate, and that official surnamed Yuan!"

"Yes, sir." Yan Yan Liulang and others withdrew. Not long after, Master Chen and the other Liu craftsmen were brought in—but the stout official surnamed Yuan was nowhere to be seen.

Yan Yan Liulang leaned close to Magistrate Ouyang Rong and whispered: "My Lord, when we arrived, he had vanished… likely eliminated by the Liu family."

Eliminated so quickly… Magistrate Ouyang Rong frowned slightly, glancing at Liu Liu Ziwen.

Yet he looked again at Master Chen and the others, suppressed his thoughts, and nodded:

"Enough. It's sufficient."

As he spoke, Magistrate Ouyang Rong suddenly slammed his fist on the table and rose.

Bang—!

He roared down at the craftsmen: "How dare you smuggle demonic objects to blow up the gate? Don't you know this is a capital offense? Ten thousand lives wouldn't suffice to atone!"

"Your Honor, we are innocent!"

Master Chen and the other Liu craftsmen fell to their knees, trembling violently as they banged their heads against the ground:

"We didn't know this oil had such a purpose! We merely followed the orders of the Jade Zhi Immortal and Master Liu! They said this oil was an apotropaic substance to ensure the new gate's lasting safety! We knew nothing—we only obeyed! Please, Your Honor, spare our lives!"

"I see." Magistrate Ouyang Rong's lips curled slightly as he turned to Liu Liu Ziwen:

"Liu Liu Ziwen, it is well known that swordsmiths and Dragon King Temple priests are funded by your family. You manipulated them into transporting demonic oil—and still dare to deny it? If you persist in lying before these esteemed officials, your punishment will be aggravated."

He spoke slowly, nodding calmly:

"But if you confess now, with a humble demeanor, we may consider mitigating your sentence—enough to preserve a bloodline for your Liu family, so it does not go extinct."

Liu Liu Ziwen twitched his lips but said nothing immediately.

Under the gaze of Magistrate Ouyang Rong, Shen Shen Xisheng, Wang Wang Lengran, and every scholar, merchant, and commoner present, Liu Liu Ziwen's expression flickered uncertainly.

At one moment, the young master of the Liu family suddenly glanced up at Wang Wang Lengran—then, with a thud, he dropped to his knees, face filled with remorse:

"Magistrate Ouyang Lord, Wang Lord, Shen Lord, this humble subject admits guilt. I was foolish, misjudged others, and became an unwitting accomplice."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow. "Misjudged others? An accomplice?"

Liu Liu Ziwen nodded vigorously:

"Yes—I was deceived! That Tiannan Jianghu fraudster, the Jade Zhi Immortal, lied to me. She claimed this demonic oil was for cleaning the gate, instructing me to transport it to the inner chamber to ensure the safety of the newly built Di Gong Zha."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong smiled coldly. "Then why sneak it in secretly? Why not report it to the authorities? Why choose midnight? Why conceal it? What was your true intent?"

Liu Liu Ziwen shook his head. "All her doing! She warned me not to speak of it. I didn't understand why—I acted out of goodwill, never imagining I'd been used! Thank heaven, Magistrate Ouyang Lord, you saw through her tricks!"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong studied Liu Liu Ziwen's tearful, heartfelt expression and sighed:

"So… this so-called Jade Zhi Immortal, who used dark arts to impersonate me and assassinate Shen Lord, then impersonated me again to attempt another assassination at Di Gong Zha, and secretly smuggled demonic oil into the inner chamber—all these capital crimes were her own decisions?"

Liu Liu Ziwen nodded earnestly. "Precisely. I knew nothing of it before."

Magistrate Ouyang Rong stared at him for a moment, then let out a sudden laugh. "Liu Liu Ziwen, Liu Liu Ziwen… very well."

As he spoke, the young magistrate suddenly turned and nodded toward a spot in the crowd ahead.

Instantly, the dense wall of onlookers parted, and a crisp white-clad figure stepped forward.

"Kneel!" Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang dragged forward a filthy, disheveled, black-robed fat woman and threw her onto the ground before the crowd.

Last night, to prevent the Liu family from killing witnesses or the witch fleeing, Chenjun Xie Chenjun Xie Lingjiang had personally guarded the jail.

Today, Magistrate Ouyang Rong had deliberately separated Liu Liu Ziwen from these witnesses to prevent threats or collusion.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong sighed at the listless Jade Zhi Immortal:

"You heard what Liu Liu Ziwen just said? The assassination at Donglin Temple, impersonating me to attempt another assassination on Shen Lord at Di Gong Zha, smuggling demonic oil into the inner chamber—all these capital crimes were your own doing?"

"You… a mere eighth-rank Qi Refiner… willing to die as Liu Liu Ziwen's scapegoat?"

The ropes loosened, the Jade Zhi Immortal struggled to her feet, trembling violently as she whirled to glare at Liu Liu Ziwen.

He met her gaze without flinching, preemptively crying out:

"Why look at me like that? Are you still trying to lie? Isn't it clear you've exploited the Liu family? I urge you to confess fully to the magistrate—don't falsely implicate us! For years, we've treated you with utmost respect, as honored guests! But this is no excuse to frame us!"

Magistrate Ouyang Rong snapped: "Shut up. Let her speak first."

Liu Liu Ziwen sighed. The Jade Zhi Immortal immediately opened her mouth to scream: "You bastard Liu Liu Ziwen—"

But her voice cut off instantly.

In the center of the courtyard, the black-robed woman, her face painted with pigments, opened her mouth wide, emitting a guttural "uh… uh…" Her body swayed, blood trickling from all seven orifices.

Thud! The Jade Zhi Immortal collapsed at Liu Liu Ziwen's feet, his expression unchanged.

The entire hall froze in shock.

And now, a faint, barely perceptible fragrance drifted through the air.

Ugh… my teeth have been aching these past two days…

(End of Chapter)