Chapter 122

The Government Office officials on both sides, coordinating with the striking board, shouted in unison: 'Mighty!'

Entities: Government Office officials (maybe not a name). striking board (a wooden board used for striking) not a name. No proper nouns.

The two servants of Wan Manor had originally come to the Government Office following the Second Young Master to file a complaint, but who would have thought they would encounter such a scene—first they were beaten with a board, then they were frightened by Hu Xiaotian's official authority, and now their souls have fled their bodies; the two knelt on the ground, trembling, and said: 'Sir… this is a wrongful accusation…'

Entities: Wan Manor, Government Office, Second Young Master (generic address), Hu Xiaotian. Also possibly 'Sir'. Also 'board

"Hu Xiaotian pointed at one of the servants and said, "Tell me exactly and truthfully how you discovered the Second Young Master; if you dare utter even half a lie, I will make sure you cannot leave this place alive.""

"Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Second Young Master"

"Naked threats, but they are often effective."

No names.

"The servant, terrified, kept kowtowing and said, "Sir, please see clearly... I... I and Zhao Liang were on duty last night; during the second watch we patrolled near the East Wing and found a black-clad masked person on the ground... We initially thought it was a flying bandit, but when we lifted the mask, we saw... it was actually the Second Young Master.""

"Entities: the servant, Zhao Liang, second watch, east wing, Second Young Master"

"The other servant named Zhao Liang said, "Sir, what Guo Biao said is completely true; we discovered the Second Young Master and hurried to report to the Eldest Young Master, then we were busy fetching doctors for the Second Young Master.""

"Entities: Zhao Liang, Guo Biao, Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master, doctor"

"Hu Xiaotian knew the situation of that night best; Wan Ting Sheng was knocked unconscious by a blow to the head, and he dragged him to the East Wing and left him there; as for what happened afterward, he was unclear. He then sneered, "It seems you won't tell the truth unless I torture you. You said you thought the Second Young Master was a bandit when you found him, and then you said he fell and hit his head after drinking— which statement

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Wan Ting Sheng, East Wing, Second Young Master

Two attendants were speechless.

No names.

Hu Xiaotian grabbed the red slip before him; this handful alone contained at least ten sticks, adding up to a hundred blows. The two attendants turned pale with fright; the five blows they had just received had already beaten them half to death. If another hundred blows came, even if they shared the burden, both their lives would likely be lost at once—they would have to die in this court hall.

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Court Hall

Including Chief Clerk Guo Shouguang, all the clerks and bailiffs could tell that this Assistant Magistant had already diverted the case elsewhere. However, due to their positions, none dared to speak up. Then they heard Hu Xiaotian angrily say: "Come on, tell the truth—who exactly struck Wan Ting Sheng on the head?"

Entities: Chief Clerk Guo Shouguang, Clerks, Bailiffs, Assistant Magistrate, Wan Ting Sheng

The two attendants shuddered in fear, and Hu Xiaotian had already yanked out the whole handful of red slips.

Entities: Hu Xiaotian

Zhao Liang was timid. Seeing Hu Xiaotian about to throw away the red slips, he trembled with tears and said: "Sir, this matter has nothing to do with me..."

Entities: Zhao Liang, Hu Xiaotian, Sir

Guo Biao was stunned upon hearing this. "It's the neighboring spicy place, none of your business—could it be that I'm the one who did all this?" Guo Biao wailed: "Sir... this matter also has nothing to do with me..."

Entities: Guo Biao, Sir

Hu Xiaotian said: "A human life is of utmost importance; I already have solid evidence in my hand—the wound on Wan Ting Sheng's head clearly came from a blow with a stick. If you don't tell the truth, I will detain you both together. I will charge you with conspiracy to murder the master, and you will be executed together after autumn."

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Wan Ting Sheng

At this point, Zhao Liang's inner defenses had completely collapsed under Hu Xiaotian's intimidation, and he trembled: "Sir... it was all the Eldest Young Master who had us do this." His words shocked everyone present. No one had expected the case to take such twists and turns; Wan Ting Chang had originally come to accuse Liu Kuo Hai, but during the trial here, new circumstances emerged, and the situation began to turn against Wan Ting Chang.

Entities: Zhao Liang, Hu Xiaotian, Sir, Eldest Young Master, Wan Ting Chang, Liu Kuo Hai, Court Hearing

On the spot, Hu Xiaotian had the two attendants sign and affix their seals to the statements. After obtaining these two statements, he had someone first take Liu Kuo Hai away, then he forcefully struck the punishment board and announced loudly: "Bring Wan Ting Chang before me!"

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Statement, Liu Kuo Hai, Punishment Board, Wan Ting Chang

Although Hu Xiaotian's voice was loud, it had little effect; the bailiffs did not take this newly appointed Assistant Magistrate seriously, pretending not to hear and standing there unmoved. Eventually, Murong Feiyan went out to fetch someone, only to discover that Wan Ting Chang had already fled. In fact, as soon as Wan Ting Chang recognized Hu Xiaotian, he sensed danger; after lingering outside for a while, an acquaintance among the bailiffs informed him of the situation inside, and Wan Ting Chang was startled. Without thinking further, he turned and fled the county office.

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Bailiffs, Newly Appointed Assistant Magistrate, Murong Feiyan, Wan Ting Chang, County Office

Upon hearing that Wan Ting Chang had escaped, Hu Xiaotian did not rush to apprehend him. In fact, he realized that the three squads of bailiffs simply would not obey his orders, even if he reluctantly issued them; consequently, his efforts would only end in futility and embarrassment.

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Wan Ting Chang, Three Squads of Bailiffs

A group of clerks watched him furtively, expecting Hu Xiaotian to continue causing trouble, but they did not expect him to wave his hand and say: "Court is adjourned!"

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Clerks

Everyone let out a deep sigh of relief. Guo Shouguang then brought up arranging a welcome feast for Hu Xiaotian, but Hu Xiaotian waved his hand and said: "No need, I still have pressing matters; let's discuss it another day."

Entities: Guo Shouguang, Hu Xiaotian

While Hu Xiaotian was presiding in court, Guo Shouguang had already arranged a temporary room for him to rest. Hu Xiaotian came to this temporary office, took off his official robes and changed into ordinary attire. Liang Da Zhuang poured a cup of tea and handed it over, beaming: "Young Master, you were truly imposing in court today, sweeping all before you!"

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Guo Shouguang, Liang Da Zhuang, Court Hall

Hu Xiaotian took the teacup, sipped, and smiled: "From now on, don't call me Young Master."

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Teacup

Liang Da Zhuang bowed deeply and said: "Yes, Sir Hu!"

Entities: Liang Da Zhuang, Hu Xiaotian (as Sir Hu)

Master and servant both laughed at the same time.

No names.

Hu Xiaotian gently placed the teacup on the table and said: "Da Zhuang, I have safely arrived in Qingyun; stay two days and then return to the capital."

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Teacup, Da Zhuang, Qingyun, Capital

In the past, Liang Da Zhuang would surely have been overjoyed to hear this news, but now he feels it would be better to stay here than to return. Having personally witnessed Hu Xiaotian's authority in court today, he thinks that if he always follows by his side, he need not worry about lacking future success. With this thought, Liang Da Zhuang dropped to his knees before Hu Xiaotian with a thud and said: "Young Master, I will not leave; since the master assigned me to serve you, I have set great ambitions, and I will follow you all my life, attending to your every need."

Entities: Liang Da Zhuang, Hu Xiaotian, Master, Young Master

Hu Xiaotian smirked inwardly, thinking: when did being a servant become a grand ambition? He nodded and said: "If you're not leaving, stay; I'll assign you a task in a couple of days. Get up."

Entities: Hu Xiaotian

Liang Da Zhuang rose to his feet, his face full of joy.

Entities: Liang Da Zhuang

Murong Feiyan entered holding the two statements just obtained from the Wan family's attendants, handed them to Hu Xiaotian. Liang Da Zhuang knew they had something to discuss, so he promptly withdrew.

Entities: Murong Feiyan, Wan Household, Servants, Hu Xiaotian, Liang Da Zhuang

Hu Xiaotian looked at Murong Feiyan, smiling, and asked: "How would you rate my performance today?"

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Murong Feiyan

Murong Feiyan said: "Since taking office, you don't know how to keep a low profile; your sharpness is fully exposed and you're overly aggressive. If it weren't for my and Liang Da Zhuang's support behind the scenes, no one in the Qingyun County Office would be willing to stand on your side."

Entities: Murong Feiyan, Liang Da Zhuang, Qingyun County, County Office

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Whether they like it or not, sooner or later I will sweep out all those who refuse to obey."

Entities: Hu Xiaotian

Murong Feiyan certainly knew he wasn't just boasting; she sat beside him in the grand tutor's chair and asked: "What do you plan to do?"

Entities: Murong Feiyan, Hu Xiaotian, Grand Tutor Chair

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "The two attendants' statements could be overturned at any moment, making it hard to punish Wan Ting Chang. However, with these two pieces of evidence, Old Fox Wan Bo Ping will willingly produce a sum of money to settle the matter."

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Attendants, Wan Ting Chang, Evidence, Wan Bo Ping, Old Fox

Murong Feiyan looked at Hu Xiaotian with some surprise: "Hu Xiaotian, you're not thinking about upholding justice; your mind is full of how to extort wealth. Do you deserve the court's trust? Do you deserve the emperor's favor?"

Entities: Murong Feiyan, Hu Xiaotian, Court, Emperor

Hu Xiaotian said: "Please, don't keep accusing me of being extravagant; what connection does this petty official have with the emperor? I've never even met him—my father arranged this position for me, and as long as I live up to his expectations, that's enough. You say I'm too conspicuous and aggressive? That's why I've decided to keep a low profile. We've just arrived, and we wanted to take down Wan Bo Ping, but it's not that easy, especially since I still have Xu Qinglian pressing down on me."

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Emperor, Father, Wan Bo Ping, Xu Qinglian

Murong Feiyan said: "Are you planning to use these two documents to blackmail Wan Bo Ping?"

Entities: Murong Feiyan, Evidence, Wan Bo Ping

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Don't put it so harshly—what is blackmail? I simply want to make the most of people's talents and resources. Having just arrived in Qingyun, unfamiliar with the place, having hardly any friends is absolutely unacceptable, don't you agree?"

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Qingyun

Murong Feiyan said: "You're so cunning! You're destined to become a treacherous minister."

Entities: Murong Feiyan, Hu Xiaotian

Hu Xiaotian said: "These days corrupt officials are everywhere, all deceitful and sinister. If I want to be a good, clean official, I cannot be honest; I must be even more cunning and wicked than they are in order to defeat them."

Entities: Hu Xiaotian

Murong Feiyan, hearing this logic for the first time, widened her beautiful eyes in disbelief: "How could a treacherous minister possibly be an honest official?"

Entities: Murong Feiyan

How could a treacherous minister not be an honest official? I, the old man, take not a single thread from the common people; I trap the wealthy bullies and extort corrupt officials. Even if such an official has some deceitful traits, what's the harm?

No specific names; "Old Man" is the speaker (Hu Xiaotian) but generic.

Although Hu Xiaotian refused his subordinates' clerks' request to arrange a welcome feast, Chief Clerk Guo Shouguang did not dare to be negligent; he specially had someone deliver lunch. In the county office there is a cook who usually handles the meals and daily life of County Magistrate Xu Qinglian's family; his cooking can only be described as mediocre, yet in a small county like Qingyun it is already considered quite good.

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Clerks, Chief Clerk Guo Shouguang, County Office, Cook, County Magistrate, Xu Qinglian, Qingyun, Small Town

Hu Xiaotian filled his stomach and, accompanied by Murong Feiyan, inspected the prison.

Entities: Hu Xiaotian, Murong Feiyan, Prison

The layout of Qingyun County's prison is originally small, divided into male and female sections. Although the female ward had no inmates, this morning Hu Xiaotian personally sent four prisoners to the prison while presiding in court; the male ward was already full, so he temporarily placed these four in the female ward. Hu Xiaotian, however, went to the male ward, sat in the punishment chamber, and had the jailer bring Zhou Batian over.

Entities: Qingyun County, Prison, Men's Prison, Women's Prison, Hu Xiaotian, Criminals, Men's Prison, Women's Prison, Punishment Chamber, Jailer, Zhou Batian

Zhou Batian entered the punishment chamber wearing a cangue; the chamber was brightly lit. Two bailiffs intended to chain him to a pillar, but Hu Xiaotian waved his hand and said: "No need—you may step out first."

Entities: Zhou Batian, Cangue, Punishment Chamber, Bailiffs, Hu Xiaotian

Zhou Batian recognized the official's voice, looked up, and immediately realized that the officer interrogating him was the same cellmate who had been locked in the same prison with him that day. Hu Xiaotian had the two jailers leave, holding Zhou Batian's file, and said: "You were imprisoned for fighting in the street; you have already been in jail for three months, though your original sentence was only one month. Since you kept causing trouble—either beating people or stirring up disturbances—before your term ended, your sentence has been repeatedly extended."

Entities: Zhou Batian, Official, Prison, Cellmate, Hu Xiaotian, Jailer, File

Zhou Batian stood there, wary, gazing at Hu Xiaotian.

Entities: Zhou Batian, Hu Xiaotian

Hu Xiaotian said: "If this continues, you'll spend your whole life in prison—you'll wear a hole through the floor!"

Entities: Hu Xiaotian

Zhou Batian said: "Sir, though you're young, you perform this act remarkably well, but I don't know what you hope to gain from me."

Entities: Zhou Batian, Sir, Zhou Mou

Third Update presented, earnestly requesting subscriptions, especially the first subscription of chapter one, which relates to the future development of this book; I hope everyone will fulfill it.