Chapter 139: First Volume_Chapter 139: Noble Youth Should Be Like the Sons of the Qin Family

First Volume_Chapter 139: Noble Youth Should Be Like the Sons of the Qin Family

Bang!

The Wine House Door was slammed shut heavily by Qin Xiaofu; the Wine House, which had been bustling a moment ago, was now completely empty.

Qi Cheng and the others' hearts had already risen to their throats, staring fixedly at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng, on the other hand, sprawled himself into a chair, crossed his legs, made a "please" gesture, and said with a smile: "Gentlemen, don't just stand there foolishly, sit down, let's have a good chat."

Qi Cheng and Gao Song exchanged a glance, and could only let Qin Feng have his way, sitting down across from him.

Under everyone's gaze, Qin Feng took the testimony from his bosom, waved it in front of everyone, put on the customary look of a profiteer, and said excitedly: "I won't name names as to who the Diplomatic Envoy behind this is. After all, you all hold prominent positions, and we're right at the eye of the storm of war preparations. If this really blows up, it will surely throw the Imperial Court into chaos, and no one will benefit."

Speaking of this, Qin Feng looked at Qi Cheng with deep meaning: "Lord Qi, as the Governor of Jingdu, you must be well-versed in the articles of the Great Liang Code. Please tell us, Lord Qi, what crimes have these gentlemen committed?"

Qi Cheng's face was extremely ugly; beyond fear, there was more anger. As the dignified Governor of Jingdu, being manipulated by this whippersnapper was truly a Disgrace.

"Qin Feng, if you have something to say, say it directly, don't beat around the bush!" Qi Cheng gritted his teeth.

Seeing Qi Cheng's fear turning to anger, Qin Feng instead smiled even more happily, directly grabbed a handful of peanuts from the table, tossed them at Qi Cheng, and said casually: "I'll ask you one more time, will Lord Qi speak or not?"

Qi Cheng suddenly clenched his fists, wishing he could flay Qin Feng alive, but in an instant his spirit deflated again. After all, his handle was in Qin Feng's hands; he had no choice but to compromise.

Qi Cheng took a deep breath, his expression shifting unpredictably: "Those who plot to take a life, Death Penalty. Those who instigate and incite, accessory guilt. Accomplices, accessory guilt. Officials Implicated, guilt increased by one degree."

Clap clap clap...

Qin Feng directly began to applaud, praising loudly: "Worthy of the Governor of Jingdu, the laws of Great Liang at your fingertips. In other words, who the murderer is no longer matters; not one of you present can escape."

Qin Feng grabbed the peanuts, tossing them into his mouth as he spoke indistinctly: "I'm the kind of person who never speaks in absolutes, nor handles things to the bitter end... I'll lay out two paths for you all. The first, we meet at Dali Temple. The second, settle it privately."

At these words, Li Rui stood up directly, his eyes extremely nervous: "How do you want to settle it privately? Money? Fine! Name your price."

Now that the Pro-Peace Faction had lost power, the Hubei Party should have kept a low profile. If this matter blew up, Li Rui's father would surely be Implicated. When the time came to settle old and new accounts together, Li Rui didn't even dare think about what fate would befall the Li Family.

Therefore, among the few, Li Rui was especially nervous and panicked, single-mindedly wanting to suppress this matter.

Qin Feng naturally understood Li Rui's situation, pressed his hand down to signal Li Rui not to get worked up, and said unhurriedly: "Relax, money will definitely need to be spent, but how to spend it is also a matter of finesse."

As he spoke, Qin Feng looked at the despondent woman, sighed softly: "For ease of handling, I'll draw up a list, and you'll handle each item one by one. The first item is compensation for the victim's family! The victim was in his prime; based on Jingdu's wage standards, he could earn Five taels of silver a year. Even if he had thirty more years to live, that's One Hundred Fifty Taels. Lost wages are to be compensated at triple, which is Four Hundred and Fifty Taels."

"Additionally, there are emotional distress fees, family resettlement fees, etc.... totaling One Thousand Liang."

This small amount of money was nothing to Li Rui; without even thinking, he agreed wholeheartedly: "Easy to discuss. As long as this matter can be resolved, I'll personally sponsor another One Thousand Liang!"

Qin Feng ignored Li Rui's unsolicited generosity and continued: "A life cannot be measured by money, but if it isn't measured, the victim won't receive substantial compensation. So, Young Master Li, how much do you think this life is worth?"

Li Rui knew Qin Feng too well. Hearing this, he knew Qin Feng had no intention of letting him off easily. But for the sake of his Clan, Li Rui could only respond meekly: "Wan Liang Silver?"

Qin Feng didn't answer, but asked instead: "Let me put it another way, how much money is Young Master Li willing to spend to buy back your own life?"

Li Rui's heart skipped a beat, sweat already seeping down his back, and he said nervously: "If I can keep my life, I'm willing to go bankrupt. But this matter must be practical. I am willing to offer Three Ten Thousand Taels, which is already my limit. I beg Young Master Qin to show mercy!"

Qin Feng stopped while he was ahead and decided on the spot: "Good! As you say, Three Ten Thousand Taels. Immediately send someone to convert it into Silver Notes and deliver them to the widow. Don't play installment games with me. If even a single coin is short, I'll make you pay a life for a life! Furthermore, this applies to you, and to all of you: if this woman takes the money but doesn't live to spend it, I, Qin, pledge on my honor, I will make sure you all accompany her in death!"

How could Li Rui dare hesitate even a moment? He quickly ran to the door, had Qin Xiaofu open a crack, and instructed his Servant to immediately return to the mansion to count the Silver.

The woman seemed to come back to her senses, burst out crying with a wail, and kowtowed repeatedly to Qin Feng: "Young Master Qin's great kindness, this Commoner woman has no way to repay."

Qin Feng quickly reached out to support the woman, sighed deeply. He was clearly dissatisfied with this outcome, yet helpless: "By rights, a life for a life, a debt repaid in coin, that's the way of heaven. But these people are all high-ranking and powerful. If this lawsuit really drags on, not to mention whether there will be a result, even if there is, it will drag on until the cows come home."

Actually, what Qin Feng worried about most was not the lawsuit, but that once the other side had a chance to catch their breath, they would stop at nothing to eliminate the woman.

Without even a plaintiff, what lawsuit is there to fight?

This was, after all, a matter of life and death. Qin Feng, setting aside his usual roguishness, revealed a hint of bitterness at the corner of his mouth: "Auntie, I'm just a commoner too. This is all I can do to help you."

The woman had long been in despair. After all, those Implicated in this matter were all top-ranking dignitaries in the court; even the Father Official, the Governor of Jingdu, was among them. How could she, a mere Commoner, fight against heaven? She had never dreamed in her wildest dreams that Qin Feng would stand up for her. Let alone Three Ten Thousand Taels, even thirty taels would be enough for her to be eternally grateful.

The woman was overcome with mixed emotions, tears pouring down like rain, gazing at Qin Feng with burning eyes: "Young Master Qin is truly a reincarnation of the Bodhisattva. For Jingdu to have a person like you is truly the blessing of the common people. This Commoner woman has no way to repay you. I can only use the money my husband exchanged his life for to build a shrine for Young Master Qin, so that generations of descendants will remember Young Master Qin's kindness."

Qin Tianhu, sitting to the side, had originally been extremely displeased with Qin Feng's Hired Thugs-like behavior, and had several times wanted to speak up and rebuke him.

But watching the scene before him, Qin Tianhu's displeasure had completely vanished, replaced entirely by relief and pride.

Ji Wang sighed deeply: "Noble Youth should be like the sons of the Qin Family..."