Chapter 102
Chapter 102
That evening, inside the Count of Xuanwu's Estate.
The Count slammed his fist down on the table.
*Crack!*
The solid mahogany table shattered in an instant. The Count of Xuanwu had never been so furious, had never lost his temper like this in his entire life.
*Not only is Li Wenzheng not dead, not only have his title and rank not been stripped, but he was merely docked a year's salary?! Hahaha! Everyone knew that Prince Gong’s rebellion had nothing to do with Li Wenzheng, yet he publicly associated with the prince and declared him incomparably wise before the masses.*
*Does the King truly wish to strip my Jin Clan of our legacy? How can a monarch treat his nobles with such coldness? This is the legacy my ancestors built, not something bestowed by the Ning clan. For the past several hundred years, how many meritorious deeds has my Jin Clan performed for you Nings? This is too much.*
Shen Lang stepped forward and wrapped a clean silk cloth around his father-in-law's bleeding hand.
"Do not be anxious. Let us wait a little longer. Didn't we anticipate this outcome from the day the King granted me the status of an Imperial Academy student?"
"Lang'er, do you think I can protect the legacy passed down by my ancestors?"
The Count had lost all confidence. Shen Lang replied calmly.
"You can."
"Our fiefdom is, after all, part of the State of Yue, and the State of Yue moves according to the King's will. If we fall out of his favor..."
"Then we must broaden our perspective beyond the State of Yue and observe the situation. Although I cannot reveal everything on my mind right now, Father-in-law, we will absolutely not lose! We must prepare. Li Wenzheng will come for us like a rabid dog! And tonight, we must become the dog catchers who put him down."
Shen Lang gazed at the night sky outside and smiled cruelly.
"Li Wenzheng, you must be gloating right now. Perhaps you're even dreaming of a life of ease, basking in the King's favor. But unfortunately for you, you will not live to see another day! It would have been better if you had died right away. Then you wouldn't have to suffer a more miserable death at my hands."
Just then, Jin Zhong hurried over.
"My Lord, Young Master. The Silver-Clad Imperial Censor, Li Wenzheng, has come with soldiers to make an arrest!"
The Count of Xuanwu's face turned cold.
"He has? Who has he come to arrest in my estate? Who does he dare to arrest? Is he here for Shen Lang?"
***
Outside the main gate of the Count of Xuanwu's estate.
The gaunt Silver-Clad Imperial Censor, Li Wenzheng, sat atop a large horse, staring at the estate with eyes full of hatred. The gate soon opened, and the Count of Xuanwu spoke calmly.
"Lord Li Wenzheng, for what reason have you come so late at night in such a rage?"
Li Wenzheng answered flatly.
"I have come to arrest someone."
"And who might that be?"
"I have come to arrest Jin Mulan!"
At Li Wenzheng's sudden declaration, a muscle twitched on the Count's face.
*How cruel! The moment the King gave the signal, the mad dog came charging, not even caring for his appearance!*
His current state was indeed difficult to look at. Count Jin Zhuo spoke in a cold voice.
"What crime has my daughter committed that the Silver-Clad Imperial Censor would storm my estate with soldiers, as if going to war?"
For over a hundred years, no one had publicly brought soldiers to the gates of the Count's Estate to apply pressure. Not even Zhang Chong or Governor-General Zhu Rong had done such a thing. Men of their stature knew that once such a line was crossed, there was no turning back. But Li Wenzheng, having escaped death, had become a mad demon of revenge who saw nothing in his way. And thinking he had the King's favor... there was nothing he wouldn't do.
Hearing the Count of Xuanwu's question, Li Wenzheng sneered.
"What crime, you ask? The crime of harming and killing the common people!"
Everyone present turned pale at his words. It was common knowledge that the Count of Xuanwu cherished the common people above all. Although he did not rule over all the people of Xuanwu City, he felt pity even for those outside his domain.
Moreover, the Count treated the people living in his fiefdom like his own children, levying incredibly low taxes on them. In years of famine, the estate would not only waive taxes but would even use its own funds to feed the people within its lands. Because of this, women from outside the fiefdom would go to any lengths to marry men living within it. Some people from other regions would even abandon their household registrations and become vagrants just to enter the Jin Clan's territory.
"Jin Mulan's personal soldiers, in defiance of the law, rode recklessly through the streets, colliding with thirteen commoners. Five of them were trampled to death. As their commander, she must bear the responsibility. I, the Silver-Clad Imperial Censor, who patrols the realm on behalf of the King, witnessed this heinous act with my own eyes. I have no choice but to hold her accountable.
Bring forth the injured and the bodies. And bring in the witnesses."
At Li Wenzheng's command, five corpses were brought forward. Among them were commoners whose flesh had been torn from their bones. More than ten witnesses were brought in as well. Didn't this scene look familiar? Indeed! There was truly nothing new under the sun.
A frame-up! A deliberate provocation to justify an investigation. These were the first words that came to the minds of Shen Lang, Jin Mulan, and the others from the estate. Li Wenzheng's group had viciously used ordinary people for their scheme.
*If you're going to put on a play, at least do it properly!*
Just then, Jin Mulan stepped out from the crowd and said.
"Then where are my cavalrymen who harmed the people?"
"The Chiliarch of Yanshan has arrested and imprisoned them. Those unruly brutes were on a rampage, trampling innocent people in the streets. After I report to the Prefect and the Governor-General, I will ensure they are all punished."
How could that be possible? The estate's cavalry always acted with caution. Even when several hundred of them were on the march, they never collided with or trampled anyone. The last time Shen Lang had deliberately run into the Count's cavalry, there had been far more of them, yet he had only sustained minor injuries. How could a mere dozen cavalrymen on patrol cause over ten casualties, including deaths?
Mulan's elite cavalry had been captured and were now imprisoned in the Yanshan Chiliarch Post, one of the three such military garrisons in Xuanwu City. Though it was just a single city, Xuanwu City had three chiliarch posts, each staffed with nearly three thousand men. Who were they aimed at? It didn't take a genius to know they were targeting the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. The Yanshan Chiliarch Post was a garrison of elite troops, far superior to Tian Heng's militia chiliarch post.
"Count Xuanwu, the evidence is irrefutable. Jin Mulan's cavalry and warhorses trampled innocent people. As their commander, can you say she bears no responsibility? General Jin Mulan, come with me to the Prefect's office to clarify the facts of this case."
Li Wenzheng's voice filled the dark night sky, his eyes brimming with triumph.
*Finally, I can have my revenge for the terror I've endured these past ten-odd days. Hahaha, this is truly satisfying!*
He secretly hoped the Count of Xuanwu would fly into a rage, lead his cavalry to the Yanshan Chiliarch Post, and try to take his men back by force. If that happened, Governor-General Zhu Rong and Prefect Zhang Chong would have a legitimate reason to lead their armies and pacify the Count's Estate. It was the same method used to bring about the downfall of the Count of Dongjiang years ago.
"General Jin Mulan, are you perhaps thinking of shirking your responsibility? If you do not give me a clear answer, I will order the cavalrymen imprisoned at the Yanshan Chiliarch Post to be tortured for a confession. Those who command armies have heavy hands. What if something were to happen while the Yanshan Chiliarch tried to extract a confession from your cavalry? They might not die, but broken arms or legs, serious injuries... none of us want to see that. Besides, the cavalry captain in our hands is a woman."
Shen Lang had met that cavalry captain before. Her name was Jin Jianniang. She had grown up in the estate and was one of its most loyal commanders. Jin Jianniang was a formidable martial artist, but she was shy and would blush whenever she met Shen Lang. With a female general in the enemy's hands, the consequences would be dire if she wasn't rescued in time.
Mulan cherished her soldiers as if they were her own children. Jianniang, moreover, was a confidante who was like an older sister to her. Unable to bear it any longer, she resolved to go to the Prefect's office as they wished and was about to take a step forward.
Just then, Shen Lang took her small hand and stepped in front of her, shielding her. In that instant, Mulan's heart melted. A man's strength was not measured by his martial prowess, but by his courage to step forward at critical moments.
Shen Lang walked up to Li Wenzheng.
"My, my, Brother Li, you've gotten so thin. Why haven't you been taking care of yourself? You're so young; you shouldn't pass on before your parents."
Li Wenzheng sneered.
"Shen Lang, what pathetic trick are you trying to pull now? Things will not go your way anymore!"
At that moment, Li Wenzheng was consumed by a sense of superiority, devoid of any fear. He even felt a sense of pity for Shen Lang.
*Shen Lang, your talent is undeniable, but it's useless now. Your backer has lost its power, so no matter how talented you are, you will be crushed like an ant. My backer is the King. Who has a greater backer than I?*
Li Wenzheng said smugly.
"Shen Lang, have you ever heard this saying?"
"Which one are you referring to? A mantis trying to stop a chariot? Or an egg trying to break a rock?"
Li Wenzheng laughed.
"Both of those are excellent! They say you are skilled in political maneuvering, a master of insidious plots, with a devilishly clever mind. But none of that matters. Absolute power crushes all schemes. Shen Lang, you are brilliant, and with your outstanding mind, you pushed me into a fatal corner. But so what? The King trusts me, and I have his favor, so no matter what you do, I will not die!
As long as I, Li Wenzheng, am alive, you, Shen Lang, and the Count of Xuanwu's Estate cannot exist under the same sky. From now on, I will remain in Xuanwu City and go nowhere else. I will use every method at my disposal to deal with the Count of Xuanwu's Estate and you, Shen Lang. Until the entire Jin Clan and all its members are dead!
Shen Lang, I will make you realize that crossing me, Li Wenzheng, was the nightmare of your life. I will make you regret becoming my enemy, even in hell!"
As Li Wenzheng spoke, his lips began to bleed. He was a perfect picture of someone grinding their teeth in fury. The suffering Shen Lang had inflicted on him was bone-deep. He had become a laughingstock among the powerful clans, his reputation and prestige utterly ruined. The esteemed scholar and wise official he once was had been shattered; from now on, he would be known only as the King's mad dog.
Shen Lang looked at the man before him. His eyes were sunken, and he seemed on the verge of madness. The refined air of a scholar was completely gone, replaced by the look of a venomous snake. Shen Lang sighed softly.
"Li Wenzheng, run. They'll be here soon!"
"Shen Lang, what devilry are you up to now?"
"Three watches ago, they entered Raging River Commandery City and went to the Prefect's office looking for you, but they missed you. They are on their way to Xuanwu City now. You should run!"
Li Wenzheng asked in a hoarse voice.
"Shen Lang, are you mad? What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Li Wenzheng, you are about to die. You will likely not see tomorrow's sunrise."
Li Wenzheng stared at Shen Lang, dumbfounded, before bursting into loud laughter. "Haha."
"How utterly absurd. Who would dare to kill me? The King only punished me with a year's docked salary. Let me tell you a secret. The eunuch who delivered that edict visited my home and gave my parents money. The exact amount of my one-year salary. Do you know what that means?
It means I have found favor in the King's eyes, and that the end is near for you, Shen Lang, and the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. Yet you tell me I'm about to die? What preposterous nonsense is that? Who would dare to come and kill me? Who? You? The Count of Xuanwu's Estate? I could stand right here, and you wouldn't be able to touch a hair on my head. I am the Silver-Clad Imperial Censor of the State of Yue, the one who acts on the King's will. If you kill me, it would be treason.
Shen Lang, I'll stand right here. If you're not a coward, come and kill me! You can't, and neither can they!"
Li Wenzheng, who hadn't slept in days, was in a state of extreme agitation. Watching him, Shen Lang murmured softly.
"Of course, neither I nor the Count of Xuanwu's Estate can kill you. Because the one who wants you dead is the King."