TPATTHU Chapter 36
by VolareThe door of the private room was kicked open, and government officers with batons rushed in, surrounding the area.
Governor Yang, with his hands behind his back, strode confidently across the threshold, first surveying the situation inside, then glancing at Yang Sharen, who was lying on the ground, before walking over to Xiao Zhinian.
Before he could speak, Yang Sharen threw himself at his feet, both frightened and delighted, crying out, “Uncle, save me! These people are saying they want to kill me!”
Governor Yang waved his hand, ordering the officers beside him to stop him. He then covered Yang Sharen’s mouth and pointed towards the door, saying, “Take him away.”
Xiao Zhinian sneered, “In broad daylight, is Governor Yang trying to shield his own nephew?”
Among the prostitutes crowded in the corridor, someone recognized Yang Sharen and pointed, saying, “Hey! Isn’t that the Yang family’s boy? What’s going on? I’ve never seen Governor Yang mobilize so many people to arrest someone before. Did he do something wrong?”
A bare-chested thug, cracking sunflower seeds and spitting the shells on the ground, clicked his tongue twice and said, “You don’t know about the Han family’s matter? Someone died! Yang Sharen is more of a hooligan than I am. He’s been obsessed with that little girl from the Han family! When he couldn’t get the swan meat, he killed her father!”
Yang Sharen’s face turned from green to red as he listened. He shouted and kicked at the people.
The officers drove away the gossiping crowd outside, “Go, go, go! Get out of the way! You’re interfering with official business. Do you believe we’ll lock you up and interrogate you?”
The crowd scattered like startled birds.
Governor Yang said righteously, “I have always been upright and never bend the law for personal gain. I am extremely grateful to the adults for helping to capture this villain.”
Trying the same old trick again?
Xiao Zhinian wouldn’t allow it, so he said, “How about this? Since the villain has been caught, and the evidence is all here, let’s hold a public trial today. This will avoid any complications that might arise later.”
Governor Yang, with no other choice, followed his lead, “What the adult says is true. We shall proceed to the government office and begin the trial immediately!”
–
The four large characters “Míng Táng Rú Jìng” (Bright Hall as Clear as a Mirror) were engraved on a plaque, hanging high above the court. The rising sun and auspicious clouds depicted a scene of justice and fairness.
Unfortunately, it was covered in dust.
Governor Yang sat behind the wooden desk in a circle-backed chair, looking calm and composed. Even though the criminal being tried below was his own nephew, he didn’t seem flustered at all.
The gavel slammed, and the court fell silent.
“The criminal Yang Sharen has repeatedly committed shameful acts of coercing innocent people. What’s more, he killed old man Han to cover up his evil deeds. He has completely disregarded human ethics! Do you admit it or not?”
His words were powerful and imposing.
Xiao Zhinian sat on a Huanghuali wooden chair brought from the side, coldly watching Governor Yang put on a show of righteousness by interrogating his nephew, while Shen Zhejiang stood behind him, his expression indifferent, his figure handsome and upright, like a pine and bamboo.
Xiao Zhinian had originally wanted to bring a circle-backed chair for him as well, so he could sit next to him, but Shen Zhejiang refused on the grounds that it was against the rules.
After all, Shen Zhejiang’s current identity was only that of a teacher, never involved with the government, and no one would think of his relationship with Xiao Zhinian.
In fact, he himself didn’t want anyone to notice any clues.
When Shen Zhejiang became stubborn, not even nine bulls could pull him back. Xiao Zhinian couldn’t persuade him either, so he had to let him be.
Yang Sharen’s face was ashen as he loudly defended himself, “Uncle! I didn’t kill anyone! You’re not usually like this, please save me! My mother entrusted me to you, are you going to abandon me to my death?!”
Governor Yang scolded him, the tuft of beard on his chin shaking as he spoke, “Silence! How can you randomly call out relatives in court! I’ll ask you one more time, do you admit your guilt or not?”
“I don’t!”
Yang Sharen was used to swaggering around, and even in court, in front of so many people, he couldn’t restrain himself. He was certain that his uncle wouldn’t do anything to him.
A stalemate ensued.
Xiao Zhinian was too lazy to listen to their nonsense. It was such a waste of energy. He rubbed his fingers on the chair arm and said lazily, “Let’s deal with each matter separately. Bring up the physical evidence.”
Shen Zhejiang looked at Xiao Zhinian with a hint of doubt. What was he going to do?
The jade knife was presented to him. Xiao Zhinian picked it up, glanced at Yang Sharen, and asked, “Is this dagger yours?”
“How could it be mine!” Yang Sharen denied.
“Alright, you didn’t kill old man Han.”
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, the crowd gathered in front of the government office exclaimed in astonishment. Officials protecting each other was indeed an unchanging truth since ancient times. Gradually, some people angrily cursed.
“Dog officials! All crows under the sky are black!”
“You’re all in the same den of snakes and rats! What’s the point? I’m not watching anymore, let’s go!”
Public anger was hard to quell.
Han Weiwei, already dressed in white linen clothes, stood in the noisy crowd, feeling shocked. He had clearly not agreed to this at the time. Could it be that she had mistakenly trusted someone?
Xiao Zhinian didn’t care. He pulled out the dagger, and his face was reflected on the sharp blade. He said, “The following is another case. I ask you, have you raped anyone?”
Yang Sharen was stunned by his words just now, thinking that Xiao Zhinian was on his side and that he would be fine as long as he denied it. So he said, “No!”
“Is that so?” Xiao Zhinian waved his hand, sheathed the blade, and said coldly, “Everyone here, who will be the first to air their grievances?”
Immediately, there was silence.
Among these people, there were naturally those who had been intimidated by Yang Sharen, but no one could figure out Xiao Zhinian’s intentions. It was clear that Yang Sharen had killed old man Han, yet he had flatly denied it. Who knew if these dog officials were trying to trick people out and then secretly kill them?
For a moment, no one dared to step forward.
Han Weiwei clenched her hands, hesitant.
Xiao Zhinian looked at the large crowd of people, “No one?”
“Your Majesty is too hasty. You shouldn’t have made that assertion just now. It was really inappropriate. Let me do it,” Shen Zhejiang whispered beside him, ensuring that no one else could hear him. Then he raised his eyes and vaguely saw Han Weiwei full of sorrow. He said loudly, “The court is originally a place for grievances to be aired. If anyone has any accumulated grievances, tell them truthfully. I, Shen Zhejiang, guarantee that I will give you justice.”
Quite a few people in Luo City knew Shen Zhejiang, because he was a good teacher and had set up a school. Even if families were poor and couldn’t afford tuition, Shen Zhejiang would still teach them without discrimination.
“Why is Mr. Shen also on the government’s side? Isn’t he also deceiving us?”
“What stupid things are you saying?! Everyone has seen Mr. Shen’s character. It’s absolutely impossible for him to conspire with the government to frame us!”
It seemed to be divided into two factions, one side questioning whether Shen Zhejiang had been bought by the government, while the other firmly believed that Shen Zhejiang was upright and just, arguing endlessly, like oil dripping into boiling water, crackling and popping.
“A young woman has grievances to air.”
The words were sonorous and forceful.