Chapter 96 - 93: What’s the Use of Keeping Someone Who Can’t Even Be a Good Villain? _1
Having said that Wang Dingzu.
He immediately presented all the physical evidence to the Deputy Garrison Commander Gentleman Yangqiu, saying: “The witnesses are under full control. If you have doubts, my lord, they can be summoned for further examination.” He then stood respectfully to the side.
The Deputy Garrison Commander, Lei Yangqiu, was born of the Celestial Lei Family’s direct descendants. Showing exceptional performance from an early age, he was trained as an elite.
After advancing to the Spirit Platform Realm, he was assigned by his clan to guard Ping’an Town and has been doing so for more than ten years. Naturally, he has seen much and has abundant experience.
Even now, he knew full well that he had fallen into a trap.
However, as the Deputy Garrison Commander, Lei Yangqiu carefully examined the evidences and statements against Wang Dingzu’s case. The chain of evidence was complete, and the points of the statement were clearly outlined without any loopholes, showing Wang Dingzu’s “heartfelt effort” in handling this case.
Lei Yangqiu put away the evidence and statement, a slight “kindness appearing in his gaze, “Dingzu, you are a talent, and your intellect and talent are no less than mine as the Deputy Garrison Commander.”
Wang Dingzu bowed and saluted, “My lord, you flatter me. I am unworthy.” “Regrettably, you were born in a declining family, and your support is limited. Lei Yangqiu sighed, his hands behind his back, “45 years old, Level Eight of the Qi Refining Realm, it’s such a pity. If you were bom into the Lei Famfly, you would have been a key cultivation target and the path to the Spirit Platform wouldn’t be unattainable.”
Wang Dingzu remained silent, his face expressionless and didn’t comment. “Dingzu, are you really going to fight against me for such a family? Lei Yangqiu gazed fiercely at Wang Dingzu, “Are you aware of the consequences?” Despite the immense pressure, Wang Dingzu was as steady as a mountain, bowing and replying gravely, “My lord Lei, the Deputy Garrison Commander, as the deputy commander of Ping’an Town, I am bestowed with the grace of the sovereign of the Da Qian’s greatest prosperity. Naturally, I should be diligent in my duties, guarding and comforting the people. The evidence in this case is concrete, and I implore the lord to order the summoning of the criminals and apply the law of the state publicly as a warning to others.” “Good, good,good! Yong Dingzu, you really are devoted to the state, a model amongst our officials.” Lei Yangqiu laughed in rage, “I will take this case file, and after returning to the Garrison Commander’s residence, the accused will be summoned for interrogation soon.”
With that, he prepared to leave.
“Hold on, my lord,” Wang Shouzhe stopped him.
Lei Yangqiu stopped in his tracks, his gaze fell unwelcomingly on Wang Shouzhe, “Leader Wang, what further advice do you have?”
“I wouldn’t dare give advice,” Wang Shouzhe bowed in salute, “Our Ping’an Wang Family, although declining, is still a registered Profound Martial
Prominent Family of Da Qian.”
“According to Daqian Law, my Profound Martial Worldly Family is obligated to safeguard the people and is also responsible and empowered to assist and oversee the local government. Moreover, this case involves the blood relatives of the Liu and Zhao clans. Therefore, it’s more appropriate for my lord to make a public judgement, avoiding slander and damaging your official reputation.”
“Public trial, public trial.”
From the crowd, some people have started to incite, “These several family extermination cases are related to the high and superior Profound Martial Clan. Who can be sure that the Garrison Commander won’t show partiality?” “Yes, yes, the Liu Clan and Zhao Clan are so powerful, as long as they are given time, they will certainly destroy the evidence, and turn things around.”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t those wrongly executed people never be exonerated?”
“Alas, young man, you are still too young. Unaware of the world’s dangers and human malice. Things like this have happened many times before. Who has ever seen the members of Liu Clan and Zhao Clan lose a single hair?
The crowd was spirited in waves, and among the instigators were the people arranged by Wang Shouzhe.
Previously, the Liu Clan and the Zhao Clan also arranged some people among the crowd, but as for using public opinion to stir up trouble, who could beat the ‘well-experienced’ Wang Shouzhe?
In his previous life, he had seen numerous similar techniques in the online world. The tactics of Liu and Zhao clans were just child’s play.
“Everyone rest assured, the Garrison Commander Lei will definitely answer us.” “Everyone, you have to trust the Garrison Commander. He’s a noble man from the Celestial Family.”
The public was boiling!
Lei Yangqiu has been cornered. He stared at Wang Shouzhe darkly, murmuring, “Leader Wang, you are very young; you are truly capable. Is this kind of confrontation really appropriate?”
“What are you talking about, my lord?” Wang Shouzhe glanced at the two clans of Liu and Zhao, then immediately solemnly said, “As the leader of an influential family, and as the ancestral lands of the generations of the family are here at the Peaceful Corner, it is absolutely obligatory to investigate this case out of filial piety, loyalty, reasonableness, and duty. Of course, Ping’an Town ultimately looks to the lord for guidance. If the lord has any worry, you can choose to return to your mansion and continue.”
Worry? Continue in the mansion?
Lei Yangqiu now had murderous intent, the matter had already gone this far due to Wang Shouzhe’s instigation. If Lei insisted on going back to the house for verification, given Wang Shouzhe’s tactics, he would probably exploit the situation.
If things got big, Lei Yangqiu’s position as the Garrison Commander would likely come to an end, and his family would also reproach him, and possibly even put him on hold. If one couldn’t even handle being a small local Garrison Commander, how could they be entrusted with a heavy responsibility?
There are pros and cons to being born in the Celestial Family. The disadvantage is that there are many competitors. In the massive Celestial Family, there is no shortage of resources to cultivate to the Spirit Platform Realm, nor a lack of talents to walk the path of the Spirit Platform.
Upon this thought, Lei Yangqiu immediately put on a stem face, and reprimanded Wang Shouzhe righteously, “What is this, Leader Wang? As the garrison commander who received the grace of the king to guard this place, my food and pay come from the livelihood of the common people, it’s my duty to represent and protect them.”
Both the Great Qian Land and the Profound Martial Prominent Family, although standing high above, still value the local order and stability. Common tenant farmers and the like, though low in their eyes, even akin to ants, are clearly seen as the fundamental foundation for the Profound Martial Prominent Family and the state.
Without the masses, where would the Profound Martial Prominent Family get their abundant resources?
If a real surge of public resentment occurs, which cannot be suppressed, neither the Profound Martial Prominent Family nor the local garrison commander would benefit.
“Dingzu.”
Lei Yangqiu was a decisive person and immediately went into action.
“I am here.” Wang Dingzu solemnly saluted.
“This case involves Liu Shengze of the Liu Clan, and Zhao Jinda of the Zhao Clan, according to the law, you have no power to arrest and interrogate direct lineages of prominent families.” Lei Yangqiu said seriously, “I, the local garrison commander, hereby authorize you, in light of the conclusive evidence, to go and arrest these two people immediately.”
Many deputy garrison commanders are possibly from local prominent families.
To prevent prominent families from using public power to interfere with disputes within families, all cases involving family members, the garrison commander must personally order the arrest when the evidence chain is complete.
“I shall obey the commander’s orders.” Wang Dingzu respectfully accepted the command and led his wolf-like officers and soldiers into the midst of the Liu and Zhao’s men, arresting Liu Shengze, and Zhao Jinda.
“Father.” “Father!”
Liu Yongzhou and Zhao Dingtian, the young elite of the two clans, instantly rushed forward.
“How dare you!” Wang Dingzu’s face turned cold, and with a “clang” he drew his saber, “You dare to obstruct the garrison from enforcing the laws of the Great Qian Land. If you don’t retreat immediately, I, the Deputy Garrison Commander, will not spare you.”
The two clan leaders, Liu Shengye and Zhao Jinxian, hurriedly intervened: “Yongzhou, Dingtian, retreat immediately.”
They both looked gloomy and hateful towards Wang Shouzhe.
But now that Wang Dingzu holds the “Imperial Sword”, who dares to obstruct it? If big accusations come down one after another, who can stomach it?
Thus, the two clan leaders could only turn their eyes to the old ancestors. At this time, only the old ancestors could speak up.
The old ancestors of the Liu and Zhao clans, Liu Zhde and Zhao Bojun, looked at each other, both feeling the tricky nature of today’s affairs.
Moreover, at this moment, they had both sensed that they seemed to have been led by the nose by the Wang family from the beginning, falling into their schemes step by step.
However, if they don’t save the key clan members, wouldn’t the family’s morale disperse?
Thus, Liu Zhde had no choice but to confront Lei Yangqiu and say: “Brother Yangqiu, as everyone knows, there is a feud between the Wang family and our Liu and Zhao Clans. The Wang family is likely to have targeted us in this case.
Why not…”
“The evidence in this case is conclusive and there’s no need for further review. Lei Yangqiu interrupted directly, “Old Ancestor Zhde, Old Ancestor Bojun. Although the garrison commander has had a long association with you two, he would not violate the law for personal reasons. I would advise you once again that, as members of the Profound Martial Prominent Family, although bad apples are inevitable, it is your negligence in discipline.”
Despite saying this on the surface, Lei Yangqiu was cursing in his heart, “Do you two old things dare to ask him to bend the law for you? The Wang family had calculated every step ahead, evidence is watertight, and the people are already nailed.”
Moreover, Lei Yangqiu was very clear that these were indeed the things they had done without any false accusations.
He, Lei Yangqiu, was being roasted in public today all because of Liu Zhide and Zhao Bojun’s incompetency, weren’t they?
If they couldn’t even handle causing a ruckus, they would be led by the nose, slapped in the face repeatedly from start to finish, their dignity and face lost. In the end, he, Lei Yangqiu, was dragged into this, caught by Wang Shouzhe, who wouldn’t let go. To whom could he convey his grievance?
With the pleas of the two old ancestors ineffective, the clans of Liu and Zhao erupted in anger.
The two clan leaders immediately signaled to have Zhao Dingtian and Liu Yongzhou temporarily restrained to prevent them from acting impulsively. Otherwise, if they gave the Wang family a handle to grasp, the trouble would be even greater.
Seeing that the others were restraining themselves, Wang Dingzu naturally had no reason to push issues further. Acting impartially and faithfully, he brought the two central clan members before Lei Yangqiu.
“Zhao Jinda, Liu Shengze, considering the conclusive evidence, if you do not possess the capability to overthrow the evidence, as the garrison commander, I suggest you maintain some dignity for your family.”
Lei Yangqiu looked at them indifferently, having already sentenced them to death in his heart.
At the same time, he was annoyed. What a disgrace to have two men who can’t even be bad properly, what’s the use of keeping them around?
On the other hand, the Wang family… That seemingly gentle and polite young man… All of a sudden, Lei Yangqiu felt a growing dread toward Wang Shouzhe.
This young man is terrifying!