Volume One: Riverside City Chapter 50: One Misstep, the Entire Game Is Lost

In front of the grand manor’s main gate, two groups faced off like roosters ready to fight. On one side stood several dozen ruffians and idle scoundrels from the city, led by Zhuang Qiang; on the other side were more than ten constables and officers brought by Lin Lie.

Suppressing the fury burning within, Lin Lie’s expression was solemn as he said, “Zhuang Qiang, I have made myself perfectly clear. This is the county magistrate’s order. The county office must investigate the case involving Zhuang Dian Shi, and he must come immediately…”

“Bah! That’s just a pretty way of putting it. You’re just trying to take revenge and pin the crime on my elder brother! You, Lin, are not qualified to drag my brother to the county office. You go back and tell that new county magistrate Wei that Jiangcheng County isn’t his to govern. If he wants to see my brother, he can come himself!”

“How dare you insult the county magistrate? Do you want to come with me to the office as well?” Lin Lie’s anger flared instantly. Gripping the hilt of his sword at his waist, he stepped forward threateningly. “I’ll say this one last time: if Zhuang Hong doesn’t come out, I will bring my men inside to arrest him!”

“You’re the one who’s presumptuous!” At that sharp command, a man with a sullen face emerged from inside the gate. It was none other than Zheng Gen. Advancing, he pointed an accusing finger at Lin Lie. “Lin Lie, have you forgotten who protects your position as head constable? Now you’re conspiring with outsiders against Lord Zhuang. Such ingratitude! Come with me and stop meddling in this matter.” He reached out, attempting to seize Lin Lie.

Lin Lie twisted away: “Father-in-law, your son-in-law is conducting official business. I must respectfully decline your order.”

“You… you’ve really grown arrogant. Just wait and see how I deal with you!” Zheng Gen’s temper flared at the defiance. It was natural for him to raise his hand and slap Lin Lie.

In the past, whether at home or in the county office, Lin Lie had always been respectful and obedient towards him, never daring to disobey. But now, emboldened by a newfound backing, Lin Lie dared to talk back like this. Coupled with previous grievances, Zheng Gen’s composure crumbled and he acted without restraint.

He expected the slap to land, but just as his palm came close, Lin Lie caught his wrist with a firm grip. Their eyes met—Lin Lie’s shining with a faint but ominous fire. Zheng Gen, an ordinary clerk with little strength, was completely immobilized, his body tingling and his voice trembling. “You…”

“Father-in-law, out of respect for you as an elder, I have restrained myself many times. But under the law, I cannot let you continue this foolishness. This is the county magistrate’s order, a matter of the county office—what concern is it of yours?” Lin Lie stared at him with a cold, resolute tone.

The sharpness in Lin Lie’s voice and demeanor sent a sudden shudder through Zheng Gen. For the first time, he felt an unfamiliar fear of this son-in-law he had long looked down upon. “You… but I am a clerk of the county office’s household registry. How can this not concern me?”

“That was before. You have been dismissed from the county office—you are no longer a county official.” With those words, Lin Lie pushed Zheng Gen hard, sending him staggering to the side until he collapsed to the ground, stunned by the shocking news.

Dismissed? How could he not know? That new magistrate Wei had the nerve to remove an old clerk like him just because he hadn’t reported by noon today? In his bewilderment, Zheng Gen no longer cared to stop Lin Lie pressing forward.

Seeing Lin Lie push Zheng Gen down, with his sword half drawn and the constables behind raising iron rods, the ruffians blocking the path began to falter. They were bullies who preyed on the weak and relied on bluffing; when faced with real authority, they had no stomach for a fight and retreated.

Not only them but even the once swaggering Zhuang Qiang grew timid. He stepped back a few paces and called out, “Lin, you leave no room for negotiation—aren’t you afraid of the consequences?”

Lin Lie sneered, seeing through Zhuang Qiang’s bluster. The once untouchable Lord Zhuang was nothing but a cowardly thug. As long as he was firm enough, he could crush the man’s resistance. He stepped forward again, fully drawing his sword, and warned, “Zhuang Qiang, this is your final warning. If you block me from arresting him again, you will be charged as an accomplice and taken too! Resist, and I won’t be responsible for any casualties!”

Startled by the words and the gleaming blade, Zhuang Qiang stumbled back to the high threshold, nearly falling. His voice trembled, “You… you…”

“Second brother!” Suddenly, a calm voice sounded from behind, steadying the nearly falling man. Lin Lie paused, recognizing the speaker—Zhuang Dian Shi.

Zhuang Hong looked much as before, clad in a green official robe and wearing a short-winged black hat, his demeanor composed as he gazed at Lin Lie. “Head Constable Lin, you are indeed formidable. Why have I never seen such boldness from you before?” He clicked his tongue twice with a light sigh.

As a man long wielding great power, Zhuang Hong’s mere appearance instantly subdued Lin Lie. Though holding a sword, Lin felt a chill and dared not advance further. He bowed in respect. “Pardon me, Lord Zhuang Dian Shi, I am just following orders. Please come with us to the county office for the hearing.”

“Oh? Has the magistrate found more evidence? Then I shall indeed go to hear it for myself—to see how they fabricate evidence and frame me.” A dark shadow flickered in Zhuang Hong’s eyes, but he smiled again. “Our family has served Jiangcheng County diligently for two generations. To be falsely accused like this—such injustice!”

If not for knowing what these brothers had done behind the scenes, Lin Lie and the others might have been swayed by his emotional display. Before they could reply, Zhuang Hong continued, “I will go to the office, but I wish to speak to my brother first. Head Constable Lin, do you permit it?”

“Please, Lord Zhuang Dian Shi,” Lin Lie replied, subdued and without objection.

Zhuang Hong smiled and signaled to Zhuang Qiang, and the two retreated inside.

“Brother, they…” Zhuang Qiang began anxiously.

“Time is short, listen carefully.” Zhuang Hong cut him off sharply. His earlier arrogance was replaced by deep worry. “This time, we have truly met a formidable opponent. Don’t underestimate Wei Liang just because of his youth. He is confident and far more cunning than previous magistrates.

“He has already won over many in the county office. Even Feng Ping and Wang He can’t contain him. I am very much on the back foot. With the assistance of Li Ling, he has uncovered quite a bit of evidence. This only worsens my situation. When I go to the hearing, I most likely will not return for a while.”

“Brother, how can this be… won’t this mean falling into his hands?”

“Not necessarily. Whether I am under house arrest or in jail, as long as I am within the county office’s jurisdiction, I have means to protect myself. This time, he accuses me of corruption, plus the old Huangma tax scandal from over ten years ago has made the people hate me. It’s a clever strategy. He may even incite the townsfolk to file complaints against me. If all is proven, my position will be dire.

“To clear my name, I cannot continue battling him in the county office—that’s not my arena. The only way is to escalate the case to the Hengzhou Prefecture office. You remember, don’t you? The prefectural judge Shen Han has long benefited from us, and the Huangma tax issue also ties in with them. If we explain everything clearly, they won’t stand by and watch. Otherwise, it’s over for us.

“What you must do next is gather plenty of gold and valuables and hurry to Hengzhou. See Shen Han and, if possible, persuade him to notify the prefectural magistrate to take over the case. This way, we can ensure absolute safety. Remember, this is a matter of our family’s survival—don’t hesitate to spend as much as needed. Whatever they ask, give it.”

Zhuang Qiang listened quietly, then nodded. “I understand. I will depart for Hengzhou immediately.”

“Also, once there, do not return until the matter is resolved. The things you’ve done in recent years may be used against you. Without my protection, you will be in serious trouble. And dismiss those you have recruited—no need to add more charges.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Heh… I never thought I, Zhuang Hong, considered so shrewd, would be defeated by a bratish commoner and a new magistrate. Li Ling’s boldness and skill, and Wei Liang’s disregard for official protocol—truly astonishing.” Reflecting on his downfall, he was filled with bitter regret.

Beside him, Zhuang Qiang felt even more guilty. After all, the trouble with Li Ling was ultimately his doing. If he had not insisted, under Zhang Fen’s urging, on utterly destroying the Li family, forcing the siblings into slavery, none of this would have happened.

Had his brother accepted his plea and arranged for Li Ling to oversee the archives, the warehouse might still stand. Then no matter how capable Wei Liang was, he could not have produced solid evidence to condemn him.

One wrong choice had led to ruin beyond repair. Zhuang Qiang was truly overwhelmed with remorse.

After instructing his brother, Zhuang Hong approached the increasingly impatient Lin Lie. “Let’s go!” Judging by his demeanor, he looked less like a defendant being punished and more like an official being escorted back to the county office.