Chapter 60
Chapter 60
“The Governor-General has stated that harmony is paramount. Thus, he proposes that Gold Mountain Island be divided in half. The north shall belong to the Count of Jinhai's Estate, and the south to the Count of Xuanwu's Estate.”
Upon hearing this, the Count of Xuanwu was momentarily enraged.
‘Does he think I’m a pushover just because I’m mild-mannered?’
Everyone knew that the main mines of Gold Mountain Island were concentrated in the north, while the south consisted of nothing but vast alkaline soil, sandy beaches, and overgrown brush. But even with his inner fury, the Count did not refuse outright. He simply raised his cup and said, “Let’s drink, let’s drink.”
Yan Wuji knew he would refuse, so he said no more. He had conveyed the Governor-General’s wishes and shown the courtesy of attempting to mediate; that was enough. It didn’t matter if the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate and the Count of Jinhai’s Estate fought to the death. From their perspective, the fiercer the fight, the better.
The banquet then devolved into a mere time-filler. They were not all close, and the event was a formality based on rank, so there was no need for meaningless conversation. The Count of Xuanwu was not a man of great tact or cunning, and while the Countess was intelligent, she despised wicked people and disliked hiding her emotions.
Although Shen Lang was a live-in son-in-law of low status, he was undeniably handsome. Unable to resist, people began to show their interest, quietly ranking him in their minds as first or second among the handsome men of Xuanwu City. Shen Lang was handsome enough to be second to none, making the portly Jin Mucong beside him a complete wallflower.
With everyone at the banquet silent, the hall felt particularly quiet. Just as the atmosphere turned awkward, a commotion suddenly erupted outside. The faint shouts of a large crowd could be heard.
“Bring out Shen Lang! A life for a life! Bring out Shen Lang! A life for a life!”
Shen Lang instinctively drew a sharp breath, his mind instantly alert.
Yan Wuji and Zhang Chong clearly heard the clamor outside but pretended not to notice. The Count’s expression changed drastically at the sound, and he instinctively started to rise. The Countess quickly grabbed his sleeve.
‘You fool. This is clearly the enemy’s plot. Are you going to walk right into their trap?’
A beautiful woman can speak with her eyes, and her words were true. Though the Countess hadn’t spoken a word, the Count understood her meaning from her gaze alone. And so, the Count also feigned ignorance of the noise outside, sipping his wine nonchalantly, though his heart was racing with anxiety.
It wouldn’t do if no one stepped up. Shen Lang also grew a little anxious. If no one else acted, he would have to do it himself.
“Brother-in-law, I think someone outside is calling for you.”
The portly Jin Mucong spoke for the first time that night, only to be met with three murderous glares from his father, mother, and sister. He flinched, wishing he could retract his head into his shoulders like a turtle.
‘I’m a dead man tonight. I’m definitely going to be beaten alive!’
Seeing the Count feigning ignorance, Liu Chengyan, the Lord of Xuanwu City, had no choice but to speak.
“It’s noisy outside. Go and tell them to be quiet.”
His order to the city lord’s guards seemed to reverse the roles of guest and host, but it was not entirely out of place.
***
A short while later, two military officers hurried into the main hall. One was from the City Lord’s manor, the other was the Count’s own White Tiger, Jin Zheng. Jin Zheng spoke with an anxious tone.
“My lord, thousands of commoners are surrounding the estate.”
At his words, the expressions of both the Count and Countess changed dramatically. A crowd of thousands meant a major conspiracy was afoot. An incident of this scale was not just aimed at killing Shen Lang; it was intended to drag down the entire Count’s Estate.
The City Lord, Liu Chengyan, spoke angrily.
“The audacity! How dare they surround a Count’s estate? Are they plotting a rebellion? Who is the ringleader?”
The officer from the City Lord’s manor replied.
“It is Song Yi, the leader of the Maple Leaf Village militia. He claims his son was kicked to death by the Count’s live-in son-in-law, Shen Lang, for no reason. He has brought his son’s body and is demanding that the Count’s Estate hand over Shen Lang to face justice.”
The Count was aware of this incident. He didn’t even blame Shen Lang. In fact, he thought the Song family was truly excessive for abandoning their eldest son in a ravine to die. Moreover, that beast of a man hadn't even been grateful that his brother had saved his life; instead, he had tried to drive his brother to his death.
Big Dummy was Shen Lang’s only friend. While his furious kick at the time might not have been a rational act, the Count could understand it. Afterward, he had specifically sent Jin Zhong to speak with Song Yi and had even sent him money.
At the time, Song Yi had shed tears of gratitude and shown no intention of pursuing the matter. Besides, his younger son’s life was never in danger. How could he be dead? The Count realized a sinister plot was at play.
After hearing the officer’s report, Liu Chengyan, the Lord of Xuanwu City, asked.
“Shen Lang is a scholar. How could he commit such an act?”
He then stood and addressed everyone.
“Master Yan, Prefect, Count of Xuanwu, this matter concerns the honor of the Count’s Estate. How about we bring them inside to get to the bottom of this?”
Yan Wuji and Zhang Chong remained silent. If they were to speak up and fan the flames, it would be unbecoming of their high positions. It was enough to simply sit back and watch the situation unfold.
The Count of Xuanwu, Jin Zhuo, realized that a major crisis had arrived. The other party was using a life to demand the death of his son-in-law; it was clear what would happen next. He was at a crossroads: sacrifice Shen Lang to protect the estate, or refuse to sacrifice him and be dragged down with him.
The Countess tugged at his sleeve again. She glared at him, and though she said nothing, the Count knew what she meant.
‘If you dare abandon Lang’er, I will never forgive you.’
The Count returned her gaze with one of his own.
‘Don’t worry. Am I that kind of person? I will never sacrifice Lang’er!’
The Countess’s gaze softened, yet remained firm.
‘Whatever difficulties may arise, we will face them together.’
‘With a wife like you, what more could I ask for?’
They were indeed a devoted couple. They didn't need words; a single glance was enough to communicate. The Count took a deep breath, gathered his wits, and prepared for battle.
“Let them in!”
***
A moment later, Tian Heng and Song Yi entered, carrying the body of a young boy. A disheveled woman followed, her hair a mess, her eyes bloodshot, and her body covered in wounds. She looked haggard and smelled of urine. Her grief was raw and palpable, the sorrow of a mother who had lost her son. Upon entering the Count’s Estate, Song Yi immediately knelt, pointed at Shen Lang, and cried out in a wretched voice.
“You wicked man, give me back my son!”
The Count’s face was impassive. Liu Chengyan, the City Lord, took on the role of the chief adjudicator. He slammed his hand on the table and spoke sternly.
“What place do you think this is? Do you think you can make a scene here?”
Song Yi continued to strike his forehead on the ground.
“My Lord City Lord, my Lord Count, I beg you both to redress my grievances!”
He surely knew the Governor-General’s envoy and the Prefect were present, but he deliberately feigned ignorance.
“Tell me exactly what happened.”
“Before Shen Lang became the Count’s son-in-law, he was just a commoner from Maple Leaf Village. He had a strange personality and was on bad terms with everyone in the village, especially my younger son, Song Chong, with whom he had quarreled since childhood. An old saying goes that a two-faced hypocrite becomes violent when he gains power. Who would have thought this petty man, Shen Lang, would be just like that?”
At this, the City Lord, Liu Chengyan, furrowed his brow. If you’re going to file a complaint, do it properly. Why say such things? Song Yi continued.
“After this petty man, Shen Lang, achieved his ambitions and became the Count’s live-in son-in-law, he couldn't contain himself and immediately returned to the village to flaunt his power. Remembering his conflict with Song Chong, he stormed into my house and, in front of my wife, beat my younger son mercilessly, eventually kicking him in his private parts. By the time I tried to take my son to Xuanwu City for treatment, it was too late... My younger son was beaten to death by this vile man, Shen Lang.”
After speaking, Song Yi opened his younger son Song Chong’s clothes, revealing countless bruises on his body, a horrifying sight. The area around his lower body was particularly gruesome. Song Yi wailed.
“My lords, see how vicious Shen Lang is. My son only argued with him a few times, yet he resorted to such cruel methods. A father should not have to bury his young son... I no longer wish to live. I will sacrifice my own life to see justice done. I implore you, my lords, to judge this matter fairly.”
Jin Mulan suddenly asked.
“When did your son die?”
“He died on the night Shen Lang beat him so severely.”
In truth, Song Chong had been killed by men sent by Tian Heng just last night. But in this era, there was no technology to determine the exact time of death, so it was difficult to question his claim.
“Then why didn't you come to the Count’s Estate then? Why did you wait until now?”
“I was scared. After Song Chong died, I wanted to come to the Count’s Estate immediately to seek justice. But a man came to me, claiming to be a trusted subordinate of the Count, and gave me gold coins, threatening to kill my entire family if I said anything unnecessary. He even said that if one son dies, I can just have another.”
At that moment, the Count’s face turned ashen. Had his recent conservative and cautious approach made people no longer fear the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate? The Count glanced at Tian Heng and asked calmly.
“Tian Heng, why are you here?”
“Reporting to the Count of Xuanwu. Song Yi here is a decurion in the militia and my subordinate. As his superior, I have a responsibility to see his grievances addressed.”
In fact, given his long-standing grudge with Shen Lang, Tian Heng should not have appeared here at all. But his hatred for Shen Lang ran as deep as the sea, and he couldn’t bear it. He wanted to personally drive this wicked man to his doom with his own two hands.
The City Lord, Liu Chengyan, asked.
“Song Yi, you keep saying that Shen Lang beat your son to death. Do you have any proof?”
“Many people saw Shen Lang storm into my house that day. They can be my witnesses.”
“Bring in the witnesses.”
A moment later, four residents of Maple Leaf Village entered. All were able-bodied militiamen.
“I personally witnessed Shen Lang enter Song Yi’s house. I can attest to it.”
The four men testified at once.
“After Shen Lang entered Song Yi’s house, I heard sounds of a fight from inside. I can attest to it.”
“Shen Lang, do you have anything to say?”
Without rising, Shen Lang said with an aggrieved expression.
“It is true that I went to Song Yi’s house, but I did not hit anyone. Song Yi’s eldest son, Big Dummy, is a good friend of mine. I went to give the Song family some silver and ask them to make sure Big Dummy has enough to eat every day from now on.”
Song Yi said angrily.
“Lies! My wife personally saw you kick my son Song Chong to death with a single blow. The villagers of Maple Leaf Village also heard the sounds of fighting from outside.”
“Madam Song, did you see it clearly?”
With eyes full of hatred, Madam Song ground her teeth and replied.
“I saw it clearly.”
Song Yi desperately slammed his forehead on the ground, drawing blood.
“My lords, I beg you to redress my grievances!”
Just then, Tian Heng spoke.
“According to the laws of our State of Yue, a murderer must pay with his life. Even royalty who break the law are punished the same as commoners, and Shen Lang is merely the live-in son-in-law of the Count’s Estate. I implore you, my lords and the Count, to judge this matter fairly and redress the grievances of my subordinate.”