Chapter 269
Chapter 269
Hearing this, Wang Jike inwardly scorned him. He was a proud second-rank Jinshi, placing him in the upper echelons of the condescending hierarchy. The first-rank looked down on the second, the second looked down on the third-rank Jinshi, and the third-rank Jinshi looked down on the Provincial Graduates. Provincial Graduates looked down on students of the Imperial Academy, who in turn looked down on County Scholars, who then looked down on students of the National University.
This food chain alone was enough to show how worthless students of the National University were. It was an institution inferior even to the adult education programs of prestigious universities. Once, the National University had been a great and premier seat of learning. But after the advent of the imperial examination system, it had become a place for the children of the powerful to while away their time. After wealthy merchants started paying to enroll their children, the scions of powerful houses could no longer stand it and established the Imperial Academy for themselves.
“Student Shen, for what reason have you come to see me?”
“Lord Wang, grievances should be resolved, not created! We have met before, so we can be considered acquaintances, can we not? Therefore, I ask you to show leniency in Jin Mucong's case. Our Jin Clan will never forget a friend's kindness.”
Magistrate Wang Jike of Wannian County laughed out loud.
“Student Shen, are you trying to bribe me?”
“Lord Wang, how do you intend to rule on this case?”
“I have been entrusted by His Majesty and serve as the magistrate of the county office that governs the capital. My duty is to uphold justice. Rest assured, I will judge this case with utmost fairness, ensuring that the innocent do not suffer injustice, and I will never let the wicked go unpunished.”
“I ask that you speak more directly, Lord Wang.”
“To be more direct, don't waste your time here. Pleading with anyone will be useless. Not just the Fifth Prince, but even if Count Xuanwu himself came to plead, I would only say that I will never let the wicked go unpunished. Jin Mucong has committed a heinous crime and must be sentenced to castration according to the laws of the State of Yue. If I, Wang Jike, feared the powerful, I would not have gone to the Court of Judicial Review, nor would I be sitting in this position.”
Shen Lang stared intently at Wang Jike, then bowed.
“Then this student shall take his leave!”
With that, Shen Lang departed, leaving the magistrate to his contempt.
‘Shen Lang, you may have been a big shot in Xuanwu City, but your reputation means nothing in the capital. You may have been a dragon in your hometown, but here in the capital, I will turn you into a worm. Except for that fool Ning Zheng, you are isolated and without aid. No matter how great your talents, how can you possibly display them? Did you think that just because you could stir up all sorts of trouble in Xuanwu City, you could also make waves in the capital? You are courting death!
What will you do now? You can't even speak loudly in my presence. Pleading for Jin Mucong's release? Offering a bribe? Didn't you just leave with your tail between your legs? Of course, sentencing Jin Mucong to castration is impossible, but I can certainly make him suffer.’
At that moment, an advisor at his side approached and said to him.
“My lord, this matter… haven't we blown it out of proportion? If His Majesty finds out, will he not be displeased?”
Wang Jike said, “Even if His Majesty finds out, he will pretend not to know. I was able to rise to this position because of the great favor bestowed upon me by Junior Guardian Su Nan. A man must know how to repay his debts.”
To be precise, he could not refuse a request from the Su Clan. He was an official of the Su Faction. The court was currently split into two factions—the Crown Prince's and the Third Prince's—but because it was a struggle for the throne, many dared not get involved. If you sided with a prince and he won, all would be well, but if he lost, you would die with him.
But as the saying goes, once you are in the world, it is hard to act as you please. You don't want to take a side? Is it something you can refuse? Not taking a side was tantamount to giving up on advancement. Do you know what is most important when navigating the bureaucracy? A backer, of course. Eventually, a neutral faction emerged within the court. Of course, they were not called the neutral faction; publicly, they were known as the Loyalist Faction.
‘We support only the King. Whoever becomes king, we will support him.’
Su Nan was one of the leading figures of the Loyalist Faction. Of course, the original heavyweight of the neutral faction was Duke Bianwu, but he was too prickly and arrogant to join any clique, not even the neutral one.
The emergence of the Loyalist Faction provided a path for many officials to survive. Soon, officials who dared not get involved in the succession struggle joined the Loyalist Faction one after another. Wang Jike, now in his forties, had been an assistant at the Court of Judicial Review for eight years with no hope of promotion. But after joining the Loyalist Faction, he was immediately promoted to the high position of Magistrate of Wannian County. How could Wang Jike not repay Marquis Su Nan?
Of course, Marquis Su Nan would never admit to being a leader of the Loyalist Faction. He always said that their loyalty was to the King, and the King was their only anchor. The meaning was exceedingly clear: the Loyalist Faction had only one sky, one great figure, and that was His Majesty the King. So when someone from the Su Clan ordered him to harm Jin Mucong, he had no choice but to obey.
Of course, he was a little afraid of confronting Shen Lang. Most people did not even have the authority to know the inner details of the Battle of Raging Tide City, but everyone knew that Shen Lang had played a significant role. But unexpectedly, Shen Lang was so useless now.
Wang Jike’s advisor sneered.
“Everyone says Shen Lang is as cunning as a demon, but from what I see, he's just a weakling with no particular talent.”
Wang Jike said, “Even if he were a dragon, he would have to become a worm upon arriving in the capital. The Su Clan’s power in the capital is so vast it can blot out the sun. In contrast, Shen Lang is all alone and can do nothing. No matter how great his talents, he won't be able to use them. How is Jin Mucong faring in prison?”
The advisor replied, “He’s been quiet. But he’s been groaning as if his lifeline has been injured.”
“Interesting, very interesting. Go and tell Gang Leader Yeo. I hear his wife is quite the cook. Tell him to send her to my estate to prepare a couple of meals for me to sample.”
Upon hearing this, the advisor revealed a perverted smile.
“This subordinate understands. Madam Chen is known for her excellent abalone dish. I trust you will enjoy it.”
Just then, the fierce sound of a drum echoed from outside.
*Thump, thump, thump*
‘It’s the middle of the night. Who has a death wish, beating the drum to cry injustice? If you have a complaint, come back tomorrow.’
Wang Jike said in anger.
“Go see who it is, give them ten lashes, and throw them out.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Two bailiffs went out, their expressions menacing. A moment later, miserable screams were heard from outside. Then the two bailiffs returned, one with a broken nose, the other with four missing teeth. Seeing their state, Magistrate Wang Jike of Wannian County flew into a rage and shouted.
“Who is it? Are they plotting a rebellion? How dare they openly assault the bailiffs of my Wannian county office.”
The beaten bailiff said, “It… it was Shen Lang who had someone beat us!”
Wang Jike’s voice turned cold.
“That wretched fool is courting death! To openly assault a low-ranking official. Men, seize Shen Lang immediately and throw him in prison.”
With that, Wang Jike personally led several dozen guards and stormed outside.
‘Shen Lang, you have some nerve. Daring to cause a disturbance in the capital, are you trying to get yourself killed? We were worried we couldn't find a weakness to exploit, and now you've voluntarily fallen into my hands. If I don't beat you to within an inch of your life, how can I avenge the humiliation I suffered at the Count of Xuanwu's Estate?’
***
When Magistrate Wang Jike of Wannian County emerged with dozens of guards, Shen Lang was still beating the large drum.
“Shen Lang, you are fearless! To openly assault an official in the capital, where His Majesty the King resides. Do you think this is your Xuanwu City? How did Count Xuanwu raise you to commit such treasonous acts? Men, seize him!”
As soon as Wang Jike’s words fell, the dozens of guards behind him rushed toward Shen Lang. At that moment, a shadow appeared. A bright red figure stood under the light of the midnight lanterns, drawing every eye. The key features were her thighs and the exaggeratedly large curve of her hips.
‘Is that the big-hipped princess? Why is that troublemaker here? Why is she with Shen Lang?’
Princess Ningyan said.
“Magistrate of Wannian, I was the one who struck your men. What will you do about it? Are you going to arrest me?”
The hair on Wang Jike’s neck stood on end.
‘Who would dare arrest you? It's not like I have a death wish. A woman who would even kill her own husband would have no qualms about killing anyone else.’
Wang Jike bowed to her.
“Greetings, Your Highness. However, this matter concerns the laws of the state and the dignity of His Majesty the King. I implore Your Highness to consider His Majesty's dignity and act with prudence.”
To be honest, Wang Jike was not being particularly respectful to the princess. She was arrogant and brazen, but she held no real power. The King would turn a blind eye if she beat someone up or caused trouble in the market, but he would not forgive her for interfering in the affairs of the state.
Princess Ningyan said, “I am not asking you to bend the law for personal reasons. However, since Shen Lang has filed a complaint, you must hear the case. Although it is the middle of the night, a life is at stake. You will have to trouble yourself to stay up and open the court.”
Wang Jike shot a cold glare at Shen Lang.
‘I was originally planning to hear the case of Jin Mucong raping Madam Chen first thing tomorrow morning. What official holds court in the middle of the night? But since you are so eager to die, I have no choice but to satisfy you. The evidence in this case is solid; no matter how clever you are, Shen Lang, you will not be able to overturn it. You want to bring about Jin Mucong's end sooner? Fine, I will grant your wish!’
“Men, open the court! Bring in the criminal, Jin Mucong, the plaintiff, Gang Leader Yeo, and the victim, Madam Chen.”
The phrasing itself was unprofessional. *The criminal, Jin Mucong?* He should have been called the defendant, or at least the suspect. Calling him a criminal outright was a clear statement of his stance before any evidence had been presented.
Wang Jike changed into his official robes and put on his official hat. Dozens of men stood with clubs, creating a heavy atmosphere, while the chief administrator of punishments and the scribe in charge of records also arrived at the court. It was a grand spectacle. Despite the late hour, nearly a hundred people filled the courtroom of the Wannian county office. They were imposing, and an oppressive, murderous aura filled the air. Now that the trial was to formally begin, Shen Lang bid Princess Ningyan farewell.