SFS Chapter 143 Victory and Return
Chapter 143 Victory and Return
Chapter 143 Victory and Return
At the south gate of Hanshan County, the events of today were so great that many people who had been hiding in their homes only dared to go out after the riots subsided. Upon learning of Lord Wang's victorious return, the people flocked to watch.
"Lord Wang is mighty!"
"Wang Qing is skilled in both literature and martial arts!"
"Wang Qingtian stands up for the people!"
When the people saw Wang Wenzhou riding a tall horse, they cheered from the bottom of their hearts. Wang Wenzhou's appearance at that moment was truly moving. He was covered in blood, and his legs were bandaged, clearly indicating that he had been injured.
"Hello everyone!" Wang Wenzhou waved and nodded to the people from time to time.
"Duang!" The drummer at the front of the procession struck the large gong in his hand.
"The rioters have been completely wiped out. Lord Wang will give a public trial to the few rioters who have been captured later." The procession shouted as they marched.
"Go to hell!" someone shouted, throwing a brick at a man in black.
"Give me back my mother!"
"I want revenge!"
The victims' families continued to attack the men in black. The guards escorting the men in black had no choice but to form a human wall to prevent the people from rushing in.
Wang Wenzhou glanced back. It seemed he had no choice but to kill these men in black, whether he wanted to or not. Public resentment was too great. If he didn't execute these men in black and give the people an explanation, his reputation as "Wang Qingtian" would vanish instantly.
Wang Wenzhou specifically ordered his entourage to circle around Hanshan County before arriving at the county government office.
"Boxin, are you alright?" Mother Yang, supported by her maid, ran over with tears in her eyes.
Wang Wenzhou dismounted.
With a "thud," he fell flat on his face.
Damn it! With so many onlookers, how embarrassing! Wang Wenzhou's face turned red, and he was too ashamed to get up.
"Boxin!" Madam Yang rushed over and helped her beloved son up.
Wang Wenzhou said loudly, "Mother, I'm fine!" He pointed to his thigh and continued, "It's just a slight injury to my leg."
"It's good that you're alright!" Madam Yang looked her precious son up and down.
Seeing his mother like this, Wang Wenzhou's opinion of Yang changed somewhat. He had always felt that his mother was against him, but now, Yang was even crying in distress. Parents everywhere love their children; there is no mother who doesn't love her child.
“Mother, please go back to the back office and rest. I still have some things to take care of,” Wang Wenzhou said to Madam Yang.
"Hmm!" Madam Yang nodded, glanced at her beloved son a few times with lingering affection, and slowly walked away with the help of her maid.
Wang Wenzhou bowed to the onlookers and said, "Today, rioters caused chaos and many innocent people were killed. I have lived up to expectations, personally killing several thieves and capturing the ringleader. Now, in front of all the elders of Hanshan, I will try this case."
"Lord Wang is mighty!"
"Please, Judge Wang, do justice for my deceased wife!"
"Kill them!"
The onlookers shouted in cheers.
Wang Wenzhou waved his hand to signal the people to be quiet, and said, "The bandit leader Lin Fei has just arrived!"
Several constables escorted Lin Fei over.
Damn it! Wang Wenzhou looked closely and saw that Old Lin looked miserable. He was already covered in wounds after the battle. After entering the city, he had been attacked by various hidden weapons by the people along the way, and now he was covered in all sorts of disgusting things. Eggs, saliva, vegetable leaves... and he even smelled like excrement.
It must have been one of the victim's family members who was so angry that she wrapped some excrement in paper and threw it at him.
"Kneel down!" Wang Wenzhou shouted.
Lin Fei immediately knelt down. Because of his agreement with Wang Wenzhou, as long as he confessed his crimes and obediently submitted to the law, Wang Wenzhou would release his men.
"Lin Feigang, you have committed treason and indiscriminately killed innocent people. Do you know your crime?" Wang Wenzhou asked coldly.
"I confess my guilt!" Lin Fei said, bowing his head.
"Bring me the statement and have him sign it," Wang Wenzhou ordered.
Lin Fei didn't even look at it before signing and affixing his fingerprint.
Wang Wenzhou declared, "This official hereby pronounces the sentence: Lin Feigang shall be executed immediately!"
In fact, county magistrates in the Ming Dynasty did not have the power to execute prisoners. The judicial structure of the Ming Dynasty was similar to that of modern times. County magistrates had the right to pronounce death sentences, but the power to review death sentences had to be reported to the emperor. Only the emperor could decide the life or death of a criminal. Wang Wenzhou felt that Lin Feigang and his ilk had committed extremely serious crimes. He wanted to execute them first and report later, to show off his wisdom and prowess in front of the people of Hanshan.
"it is good!"
"Lord Wang is mighty!"
The onlookers, surnamed Bai, immediately cheered.
"Bring those accomplices here!" Wang Wenzhou ordered.
In a short while, the remaining 13 men in black were brought over by the constables. They looked quite miserable.
Wang Wenzhou pointed at the men in black kneeling on the ground and asked, "In this riot, you indiscriminately killed innocent people. However, I consider that you are accomplices, and that your crimes were all instigated by Lin Feigang. I hereby pronounce the following sentence: you shall be sent to a labor camp for labor reform from this day forward."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, we confess our crimes!" The men in black knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude.
Lin Fei glanced at Wang Wenzhou with relief, not expecting that Wang Wenzhou was also a man of his word.
"Wang Qingtian, you mustn't!"
"These murderers deserve to die!"
"Please, Judge Wang, do justice for me!"
The victims' families were outraged. They argued that the murderer's sentence was too lenient, demanding retribution. They insisted that debts must be repaid and murderers must pay with their lives, questioning how Lord Wang could deliver such a verdict.
Wang Wenzhou pointed at the yamen runners and said in a serious manner, "Stop them! Don't let the people beat these prisoners to death!"
The constables were baffled, and no one came up to beat them!
Upon hearing this, the people seemed to have been provoked. The impatient ones rolled up their sleeves and charged forward with a roar.
"Stop them!" Wang Wenzhou shouted, while winking at the constables. "Stop my ass! Get out of the way!"
"No abuse of power!" Several constables joined hands to form a human wall, shouting as they blocked the oncoming crowd.
Old Wu, the constable, glanced back at Lord Wang, only to see Lord Wang repeatedly winking at him. A thought suddenly struck Old Wu: Lord Wang wanted the people to beat these thugs to death! Realizing this, Old Wu quickly tugged at his colleague and whispered, "Don't block them! Don't block them! Make way!"
"Huh?" A yamen runner looked at Old Wu with a puzzled expression.
"This is Lord Wang's intention!" Old Wu said in a low voice.
"Oh!" The man nodded and quickly made way for him.
The people cursed and charged at the men in black.
Thirteen men in black were bound by ropes and forced to kneel on the ground, powerless to resist. In no time, they were beaten to the ground by the people.
"Wang Wenzhou, you broke your promise!" Lin Fei shouted.
Wang Wenzhou smiled and curled his lip, saying, "Old Lin, who doesn't keep their word? Which one of my promises has I broken? Your men have committed countless crimes, and the people resent them deeply. If the people insist on beating them to death, I can't stop them!"
"Pfft..." Lin Fei was so angry he almost spat out blood. He regretted it! He regretted not listening to Liu Rushi's advice back then. Whoever believed that bastard Wang Wenzhou was doomed!
……
On a deserted path in Hanshan, Lin Mu helped Lin Qing hurry along. As they walked, Lin Qing silently vowed: Wang Wenzhou! I will definitely return and make you pay with your life!