Chapter 84

First Volume, Chapter 84: Law-Abiding Citizen

Law-abiding citizen? Everyone knows?

Qi Cheng's mouth twitched violently.

Since taking office as Jingchao Yin Fu, he had interrogated all kinds of criminals, but in terms of sheer audacity, Qin Feng was unmatched.

Qi Cheng's expression shifted from shock to contempt, then settled into fury as he roared: "Qin Feng, don't think your father is Minister of War and you can act with impunity and spout nonsense! I've interrogated criminals a hundred times slicker than you—I advise you to stop resisting pointlessly and spare yourself physical pain!"

A mere Jingchao Yin Fu dares to ignore the Minister of War? There's no way this isn't being orchestrated by someone behind the scenes!

But Qin Feng deeply understood the principle that "a strong dragon cannot overpower a local snake," so he slumped his shoulders, lowered his posture, and said: "You haven't even begun your interrogation—how can you already declare me a criminal?"

Qin Feng's words left Qi Cheng speechless, his face flushed red; after a long pause, he gritted his teeth silently: "Even at death's door, you still dare to twist words! Today, I'll properly interrogate you!"

Saying this, Qi Cheng turned sharply to Gao Song: "Gao Young Master, Qin Feng incited the people of Jingdu to riot—do you have any evidence?"

Gao Song only wanted to lock Qin Feng in the Prison and beat him inside and out, but considering future accountability, the necessary formalities couldn't be skipped.

Gao Song had no choice but to endure and blurt out: "The people outside the Fu Men are all witnesses!"

Outside the Jingchao Yin Fu gate, the crowd was already packed—after all, for residents nearby, watching a DaTang trial was one of their main pastimes after tea and meals.

Besides pure Chiguo spectators, the crowd also contained many actors.

Though dressed like common folk, their faces carried a faint, smug air.

Clearly, these actors were all disguised servants of the Gao Fu.

Instantly, shouts erupted from the crowd.

"Your Honor, it was Qin Feng who incited the attack on Longhu Bang!"

"Not only that, Qin Feng openly claimed he'd pay one Liang Silver to anyone who joined him at Longhu Bang, and ten Tael of Silver to anyone who intervened."

"We were blinded by greed and deceived by Qin Feng."

That was enough. Qi Cheng slammed his gavel and growled: "Both witness and physical evidence are present! Seize Qin Feng and lock him in the Prison—investigate thoroughly for other accomplices!"

"Wait!" Qin Feng shot up from the ground with a sudden motion, ignoring the Yamen Runners frantically signaling him to stay quiet. He wiped the look of grievance from his face and grinned: "Your Honor, isn't this trial a bit too hasty? Even as the defendant, shouldn't I be allowed to hire a litigator? As Jingchao Yin Fu, you bear the heavy responsibility of Jingzhong's People's Livelihood—handling a case so carelessly, how will you earn public trust if word gets out?"

Before Qi Cheng could reply, Zhao Zhangfu impatiently barked: "Qin Feng Xiao'er, I advise you to stop struggling in your final moments—confess quickly, and we'll all save time!"

Gao Song sneered, his eyes full of contempt: "Once inside the Jingchao Yin Fu, no matter how clever your tongue, you won't talk your way out! Confess and submit quietly—you'll suffer less pain inside the Prison."

Facing their threats, Qin Feng wasn't worried at all—he smiled broadly, turned to the crowd gathered at the gate, and spread his hands: "Everyone heard that? This is how the Jingchao Yin Fu handles cases—no evidence for right or wrong, only the word of a high official's son. From now on, stay far away—don't let the Jingchao Yin Fu catch you, or you'll see what happens."

At these words, the crowd erupted into heated murmurs.

"Though Qin Feng has a bad reputation, what he said has some truth. If the Jingchao Yin Fu treats him this way, how much worse will he treat us common folk?"

"Is this what a Father Official looks like, under the Tianzi Jiaoxia? Hmph!"

Hearing the murmurs from outside, Qi Cheng's face flushed. He quickly signaled Gao Song and Zhao Zhangfu to calm down—haste makes no good stew.

Both understood: even if it was just a formality, no procedural step could be skipped—otherwise, after the fact, Qin Tianhu would exploit the loopholes and file a complaint at Dali Temple, and this matter would become truly messy.

If they were going to deal with Qin Feng, they had to finish him off completely—crush him so the Qin Family had no chance to appeal!

Qi Cheng cleared his throat, feigning calm, and slammed his gavel: "Silence! Qin Feng, you want a litigator? Not impossible—but none will arrive in time. I'll assign you one."

Qin Feng stepped back immediately, feigning panic: "No need to trouble Your Honor—I'll defend myself. You just said witness and physical evidence are both present? The witnesses are here—where's the physical evidence?"

At his words, two actors dressed as commoners were brought in by Yamen Runners, each clutching ten Tael of Silver.

They knelt on the ground, pretending to cry out their grievances.

"These ten Tael of Silver are Qin Feng's illicit payments—Your Honor, please examine them!"

Before Qi Cheng could respond, Qin Feng cut in with clear disgust: "Can these even count as physical evidence? These two ingots don't have my name on them—I call them and they don't answer—how do you prove they're mine?"

Gao Song could no longer hold back—he flung his sleeve aside in anger: "Your Honor, this Qin Feng is plainly lying!"

Qin Feng shrugged and shifted tone: "Alright, fine—assume these silver ingots are mine. But these two men hold ten Tael of Silver each—meaning they also participated in the attack on Longhu Bang. Shouldn't Your Honor arrest them first?"

Then Qin Feng glanced at the actors outside the gate, visibly embarrassed by their performance, and said solemnly: "Strange—every witness who claims to prove my guilt is also a participant in the riot. Why am I standing here in the DaTang, while everyone else is outside?"

At these words, all the actors nervously turned away, avoiding Qin Feng's gaze.

Qi Cheng had known Qin Feng was eloquent, but he never expected him to understand DaTang procedures so well—he couldn't pin him down at all.

Qin Feng internally sneered: as a merchant, understanding local law was the bare minimum—he didn't have the Da Liang Code memorized backward, but passing the Ministry of Justice's junior clerk exam was no challenge.

Qin Feng gave Qi Cheng and the others no chance to respond—he pressed forward, pointing at one of the actors: "Wait—I recognize you. Aren't you a servant of the Gao Fu?"

The man panicked, shouting loudly to mask his guilt: "Y-You're slandering me! I'm a Jingzhong commoner—I have nothing to do with the Gao Fu!"

"Oh."

Qin Feng deliberately stretched out the word. Not just the actors, but Gao Song and Zhao Zhangfu—even Qi Cheng seated behind the Shushu—turned beet red.

Qi Cheng feared that if he continued, his "lifetime reputation" would be ruined—he slammed his gavel and barked: "Seize everyone who participated in the riot!"