Chapter 10: The Will of the People

"A First-rate Expert!"

Slowly opening his eyes, Shen Yu smiled lightly. When he had originally obtained ten years of internal energy, he was already at the peak of a Second-rate Expert. Now, with an additional five years of internal energy in his body, it had propelled him into becoming a First-rate Expert.

Baian County was not a large place to begin with; in this small territory, a First-rate Expert was a figure who could walk sideways. With this level of strength, at the very least, he did not need to worry too much about his personal safety.

Two more days passed. At dawn, many commoners had already gathered outside the County Government Office. These commoners had heard that the County Magistrate was going to publicly try the County Assistant Cai Zhong today, and they had come specifically to watch the excitement.

As for Shen Yu, the new County Magistrate, the commoners were not very familiar with him; some did not even know that Baian County had a new County Magistrate. After all, Shen Yu had not been here for long, and he might not even have recognized all the people in the government office yet.

However, news about the County Government Office had spread throughout all of Baian County over these two days, and it became more exaggerated with each telling. In short, Shen Yu, this County Magistrate, had become famous and was known by everyone. It was hard for the commoners not to know him when he had taken down the County Assistant right after taking office.

Moreover, Cai Zhong had been the County Assistant for over a dozen years, and the Cai Family was deeply rooted. In Baian County, the Cai Family was like a towering tree. Furthermore, the Cai Family was accustomed to bullying men and oppressing women, so there were not a few who harbored hatred toward them. But regardless of the Cai Family or Cai Zhong, they had stood firm through all the storms for so many years.

Now, the new County Magistrate had taken down the County Assistant immediately upon taking office; such a major event naturally interested too many people and made quite a few people restless. Thus, at dawn, there were already too many commoners crowding here waiting to watch.

"Bring the court to order!" Seeing that the situation was about right, Shen Yu slammed the Gavel and shouted, "Bring in the prisoner!"

Soon, two bailiffs dragged Cai Zhong into the Public Hall. The current Cai Zhong no longer had his previous high-spirited air; all that remained was a sense of dejection. One careless move had led to a total loss; now, he feared that only a reckoning awaited him.

"Clack. Cai Zhong, do you know your crimes?" Looking coldly at Cai Zhong standing below, Shen Yu slammed the Gavel again and then said loudly, "Cai Zhong, as a County Assistant, you have broken the law you were meant to uphold, and furthermore, you have defiled your own foster daughter. Your crimes are truly heinous!"

"Men, give him twenty strokes of the heavy board first as a warning to others!"

Cai Zhong said nothing, and Shen Yu had people beat him with twenty strokes of the board directly. These strokes were for all the commoners to see. It let people understand that he would not show favoritism toward Cai Zhong and let them know exactly what his current stance was.

Once these strokes were delivered, it was equivalent to giving a reassurance to everyone who wanted to file a complaint against Cai Zhong.

"My Lord, My Lord, this commoner wishes to file a complaint!" Suddenly, someone among the commoners shouted loudly. Soon, a person who looked like a beggar and had somewhat disabled feet was brought up.

"Oh?" The corners of his mouth curled up slightly. Shen Yu knew very well that the knife to be plunged into Cai Zhong's chest had likely been handed over.

"Who is below the court? And who are you accusing?"

"My Lord, this commoner, this commoner is Liang Liujin from Liang Family Village. This commoner wishes to accuse the Cai Family!" As he spoke, Liang Liujin raised the petition in his hands and shouted loudly with a slightly choked voice, "My Lord, this commoner has been wronged!"

"Two years ago, the steward of the Cai Family took a fancy to my wife. First, he framed me for theft and had me thrown into prison, and then he deceived my wife by saying he could help me clear my name. He tricked her into signing a contract and bought five mu of my family's fertile land for three taels of silver!"

"Afterward, the Cai Manor steward used threats and inducements to occupy my wife, and my wife, unable to bear the humiliation, threw herself into the river and died. My elderly parents at home were even angered to death because of this, and the Cai Family ordered people to break my legs. I beg you, My Lord, to uphold justice for this commoner!"

"Do you have evidence?"

"My Lord, this is the deed of sale from that time, and the neighbors from back then can all testify for this commoner! I hope you will investigate clearly, My Lord, and grant this commoner justice!"

"Bring it here!" Taking the contract from the other party's hand, Shen Yu frowned slightly, then suddenly slammed the table, "Five mu of high-quality fertile land, and they only offered three taels? Is the Cai Family not afraid of bursting from greed?"

"Come, bring all the members of the Cai Family here!"

"Wait!" Coldly raising his head, Cai Zhong had not cried out even once after being beaten so many times. Compared to his good-for-nothing nephew, Cai Zhong was much tougher. However, at this moment, when Shen Yu ordered all members of the Cai Family to be brought in, Cai Zhong finally could not hold on and spoke up.

"Shen Yu, Shen Hengzhi, do you intend to pull up my Cai Family by the roots?"

"It is not that I want to pull the Cai Family up by the roots, but that your Cai Family has committed countless crimes over these years, too many to record. If they are not removed, the public anger cannot be appeased; if they are not removed, the laws of the state cannot be upheld!"

"As the County Magistrate of Baian County, I must naturally uphold justice for the people and seek redress for the commoners! From today on, whoever oppresses the commoners, no matter who they are or what status they hold, I will never let them go! Even if I have to take off this official robe, I will certainly give the commoners an answer!"

"Well said!"

"Truly a righteous official..."

For a moment, the commoners outside the Public Hall were all cheering for Shen Yu. The commoners actually had no bottom line in their hearts regarding what kind of person Shen Yu was. But once these words were spoken today, his image was established.

After so many years in Baian County, a good official who upheld justice for the people had finally arrived; there was hope for their days ahead!

Glancing at the agitated commoners, Shen Yu smiled slightly and thought to himself that the hearts of the people could be utilized. Besides, at a time like this, it is hard to provide help in the snow, but there are many who would kick someone when they are down.

"My Lord, this commoner also has a grievance. This commoner wishes to accuse the Cai Family of framing my father and seizing our restaurant. The young master of the Cai Family also forcibly abducted my little sister. My little sister's fate is still unknown!"

"My Lord, this commoner also wishes to accuse the Cai Family..."

Soon, more and more commoners were holding petitions and filing complaints, and everyone they accused was the Cai Family. After taking these petitions, the more Shen Yu read, the uglier his expression became; he had truly thought of the Cai Family as too kind.

Ever since Cai Zhong became the County Assistant, the Cai Family had been lording it over Baian County. If they had shown some restraint before and dared not do certain things openly, then starting two years ago, they had stopped showing any restraint in their actions, looking exactly like local bullies.

Two years ago, Shen Yu's predecessor's predecessor as County Magistrate was executed for embezzling from the treasury and failing to provide disaster relief; one would imagine that Cai Zhong's hand was involved in that. Having so easily toppled the County Magistrate at the time and making him take the fall, Cai Zhong must have thought he could cover the sky with one hand in Baian County.

The Cai Family had become arrogant! Not only did they bully men and oppress women, but they also tried every possible way to get their hands on whatever they took a fancy to, barely stopping short of open robbery. Like Cai He forcibly snatching a woman in the street before, that was just a trivial matter; one can imagine the style of the Cai Family over these two years.

"Clack!" Slamming the Gavel, Shen Yu looked at Cai Zhong with a somewhat ugly expression, "Cai Zhong, as a County Assistant, you not only accepted bribes but also used your position to seek private gain. The entire Cai Family has occupied commoners' land and forcibly snatched women, causing the commoners to complain bitterly. Your crimes are unforgivable!"

"I hereby sentence you: Cai Zhong, as a County Assistant, you are not only guilty of heinous crimes but also broke the law you were meant to uphold. I sentence you to be executed after autumn. The Cai Family's assets are to be confiscated, and those who are guilty shall be punished according to the law. The direct descendants of the Cai Family are all guilty of heinous crimes and shall all be beheaded! Take him away!"

"Shen Hengzhi, what a ruthless heart you have!" The result of the sentencing made Cai Zhong feel cold from head to toe; this was to wipe out the entire Cai Family. Young man, do you not know the principle of leaving a way out for others?

"Magistrate Cai, it is not that I have a ruthless heart, but that your Cai Family has a ruthless heart. Your Cai Family has gone too far over these years. Look at these people who have been harmed by your Cai Family; this is the will of the people!"

Walking down from above and arriving at Cai Zhong's side, Shen Yu leaned down and whispered, "I want to know who else was involved in the matter of the treasury. As long as you are willing to cooperate, Magistrate Cai, I can consider letting the Cai Family have some dignity!"

"Heh heh, ha ha ha, Magistrate, do you not know that some things cannot be investigated too deeply?"

Raising his head, Cai Zhong looked at Shen Yu mockingly and then burst into loud laughter, "Shen Yu, you should not have done one thing above all else: you should not have started your first fire on the treasury!"

"Today, the one being tried is me, but the next one will be your turn! Magistrate, you are too young; take care of yourself!"