Mo Sang – CH 095

Chapter 95. Warning

After settling Guo’er in, Li Sangrou returned to Chaomi Alley. Facing the stack of confessions, she slowly sipped her wine until the distant sound of the night watchman’s gong signaled the end of the night.

Li Sangrou let out a long sigh, stood up, stretched, and went inside to sleep.

Upon entering Jianle City, Lu Hepeng went straight to find the Shizi.

Until now, no one had summoned her here or there, which meant that what she had done in Linhuan County could at least wait until tomorrow.

If it could wait until tomorrow, then it was not likely to happen.

……………………

Li Sangrou did not receive any summons that night because Gu Xi and Wen Cheng, after listening to Lu Hepeng’s account of his experiences in Linhuan County over the past few days and reviewing the thick stack of confessions, sat facing each other drinking tea for several rounds, still unable to decide how to handle the matter.

“This cannot be kept from the Master. It cannot be hidden forever.” Wen Cheng put down his cup and rubbed his face again.

Lady Li’s ruthlessness far exceeded his expectations; he was somewhat stunned.

“I did not intend to hide it from Elder Brother. We need to have a plan, an explanation, for this.

No matter how justified she is, killing fourteen people in one go is still a bit too much. Sigh.” Gu Xi patted the stack of confessions.

“Wang Yide was tormented to death by a vengeful ghost; it’s written on all twelve confessions. The other twelve hanged themselves; only one of them could be considered self-defense.” Wen Cheng’s voice was soft and low.

Gu Xi raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at Wen Cheng.

“For no other reason than that they all deserved to die; none of them were wronged.” Wen Cheng pointed at the stack of confessions.

“These are all things that are out in the open, and they are all negotiable.

What I am worried about is my Elder Brother. He must think Lady Li is too ruthless. She is indeed a ruthless killer, but she never kills innocent people indiscriminately.” Gu Xi frowned, feeling a slight headache.

“Master,” Wen Cheng paused, then looked at Gu Xi and gave a dry laugh. “He has had an imperial temperament since childhood.

Compared to massacring thousands or tens of thousands of surrendered soldiers and routinely slaughtering entire cities, how can this be considered ruthless?

I think, for Master, it’s not a matter of ruthlessness, but rather, Lady Li must be in the hands of the Shizi,” Wen Cheng paused again, “…under Master’s control.”

Gu Xi’s expression darkened slightly, and after a long while, he sighed.

“Lady Li is a clever woman. From the moment she entered Jianle City, she has been completely open with us. This is something I’ve always been satisfied with.”

After a pause, Wen Cheng looked at Gu Xi. “The war between Qi and Liang is imminent. Someone like Lady Li, with her intelligence, courage, and ruthless methods, is a peerless weapon unless we cannot control her.”

“Hmm, I understand what you mean.” Gu Xi was slightly lost in thought, then sighed.

“Also, Shizi should talk to Lady Li about the Linhuan County matter. It was too impulsive. One should not go twice. We cannot always act on impulse.

This matter did not actually need to involve such direct violence.” Wen Cheng sighed.

“That’s exactly what makes the Linhuan County matter so satisfying!” Gu Xi slapped his hand on the confession.

Wen Cheng gave Gu Xi a speechless sideways glance.

“Besides, do you think it would be useful for me to talk to her?” Gu Xi asked Wen Cheng.

Wen Cheng hesitated for a moment, then shrugged with a wry smile.

“I think if you go and talk to her, it might actually work a little,” Gu Xi said slowly, glancing sideways at Wen Cheng.

Wen Cheng’s wry smile deepened. “Shizi, you are quite the joker. This is no joke. I am definitely no match for you.”

……………………

Li Sangrou was summoned to Ming’an Palace before noon.

In a side hall of Ming’an Palace, only Gu Jin was present, sitting upright on a couch under the south window, writing something.

Li Sangrou stopped seven or eight steps away from the couch, watching Gu Jin write.

Gu Jin finished writing a memorial, closed it, and placed it beside him, looking at Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou stood straight, meeting Gu Jin’s gaze, and bowed slightly.

“What’s the difference between you and them?” Gu Jin gestured to the thick stack of confessions on his desk.

“They came first; I came later. They sowed the seeds, and I am giving them the fruits of their labor,” Li Sangrou met Gu Jin’s gaze.

“So you mean they are evil spirits who summoned you, this demon? Who do you think you are? Acting on behalf of heaven?” Gu Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Sister Qi is my person. Since I’ve become their leader, I have an unshirkable responsibility.” Li Sangrou avoided Gu Jin’s gaze, looking at the stack of confessions.

“If everyone in this world were like you, repaying evil with evil, killing with killing, disregarding the law, what would happen to those powerless, helpless, and defenseless common people?

Would they not become true fish on a chopping block, slaughtered and tortured at the mercy of ruthless powerful people like you?” Gu Jin leaned forward slightly, looking extremely angry.

“I do not know.” Li Sangrou paused, looking at Gu Jin. “This is your own business, your lot’s business. They are your people.”

“Yes, they are my people.

Therefore, someone as lawless and unscrupulous as you should be eliminated, to prevent you from harming the people.” Gu Jin looked at Li Sangrou coldly.

“I never kill innocent people indiscriminately.

I know that sooner or later, I will die because of my own inability to comply, to tolerate, or to back down.

Therefore, I cannot let this grudge linger. Those beasts in Linhuan County must die before me.” Li Sangrou looked at Gu Jin calmly.

“The Shizi told me that the war between Qi and Liang is imminent, and keeping someone like you alive would greatly benefit Qi.

He thinks I should tolerate your brutality for this supposed benefit.

If that were the case, what difference would there be between you and me?” Gu Jin’s voice was stern.

Li Sangrou stood silently, her eyelids lowered, utterly quiet.

“When you tortured and murdered Wang Yide, when you hung twelve lives on ropes in the prison, did you consider the consequences?” Gu Jin coldly stared at Li Sangrou.

“I did. I thought about it when I killed Wang Yide, which is why I did not dare keep those twelve people alive overnight. I had to kill them all quickly, lest it be too late. No matter what, they had to die before me.” Li Sangrou smiled slightly, looking at Gu Jin.

“I asked Lu Hepeng, and you repeatedly asked him: what should be done, what is the law?” Gu Jin’s tone suddenly changed. “This is your sense of reverence.

Luo Lingyan is indeed a scoundrel and ignorant, just as you said. It is because of his scoundrelly ignorance that Linhuan County has been able to commit such atrocities.

Miss Qi died a brutal murder, inhumane and horrific. This is not an ordinary murder case. Not counting the previous six deaths, this one murder alone, even if it was an accomplice, should be executed immediately, and the ringleader should be executed by dismemberment.

Under Luo Lingyan’s jurisdiction, seven brutal murders occurred in four years, and he was completely unaware of them. For this alone, he deserves to be executed.

The Prefect of Fuli Prefecture and the Commander of the Huainan East Circuit’s Grain Transport Commission are both guilty of negligence.

Wang Yide’s father, Wang Rongping, failed to educate his son properly, allowing him to commit violence; he deserves to be executed. Shi Hongyun’s father, Shi Mian, and Ying Wenshun’s father, Ying Tiancheng, also failed to educate their sons properly. Shi Mian should be stripped of his official rank, and Ying Wenshun should be exiled three thousand li.”

Gu Jin paused slightly, looking at Li Sangrou.

“Now, because of your arrogance and stupidity, Luo Lingyan has only been dismissed from his post, while Shi Mian and Ying Tiancheng have escaped punishment.

When you were acting recklessly, did you not think about the court?

You certainly never thought about the court’s reputation, so did you not think about the Shizi? Did you not think about me?”

Li Sangrou lowered her head; after these words, she knew she had to lower her head to show her attitude.

“In this matter, Lu Hepeng misled you. Lu Hepeng is short-sighted; I sent him to the Ministry of Justice to study the case files.

Laws are made by people; they apply to people, and also to all human-shaped animals.

The Court of Judicial Review next to you has a special department for strict punishments. Slicing someone alive to death, chopping them at the waist, dismemberment by cart, skinning and disemboweling—any of these are far more skillful than your method of cutting a person alive and sprinkling salt on them.

Go and take a look when you have time. Take a good look.

After you’ve seen it all, tell me which one you like best.”

Gu Jin paused slightly, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Li Sangrou.

“Cherish this sense of reverence you have, and do not send yourself to the torture chamber.

If that day ever comes, I will allow you to choose your favorite way to die: skinning, disemboweling, live dismemberment, or branding—the choice is yours.

Remember this: this is the only time you will do something so foolish! Get out.”

Li Sangrou bowed to Gu Jin, then turned and walked away.

Sigh, she disliked none of those tortures.

She needed to have Blind Mi get her some poison that would kill instantly, just in case.

……………………

In the evening, Lu Hepeng, hands in his sleeves and shoulders hunched, approached the Shunfeng Express shop.

Chuantiao was sitting on the shop’s threshold, one hand holding a piece of paper, the other flailing about in the air, his face contorted in pain, muttering in a low, rhythmic voice: “Eight minus one, return five, subtract three; nine minus one, return five, subtract four…”

Lu Hepeng walked up to Chuantiao, who still had not noticed.

“What are you doing?” Lu Hepeng leaned over to look at the paper in Chuantiao’s hand.

“It’s Master Lu.” Chuantiao jumped up. “Memorizing abacus formulas! The boss wants us to learn how to use an abacus. Sigh, it’s so difficult!”

Chuantiao looked distressed.

“Learning to use an abacus is necessary. Do not rush; study hard. It will not be difficult once you learn it. Where’s the boss?” Lu Hepeng patted Chuantiao, comforting him.

“She’s in the back; I will take you to her…”

“No need, no need; hurry up and memorize your formulas.” Lu Hepeng pressed Chuantiao down, stepped over the threshold, and went to the back.

Li Sangrou was sitting beside the vegetable garden, four or five ledgers spread out on a small table, clattering away on the abacus.

Lu Hepeng stopped seven or eight steps away from Li Sangrou. Before he could speak, Li Sangrou, without looking up, said, “Sit down first. I will finish these accounts soon.”

Lu Hepeng agreed, looked around, took a clean cup from the nearby tea table, poured himself some tea, pulled up a chair, and sat down four or five steps away from the small table. He sipped his tea, watching Li Sangrou’s swift fingers on the abacus, completely absorbed.

The boss’s type was probably what the books described—born and transformed from the essence of heaven and earth, extremely intelligent and refined, capable of excelling at anything…

While Lu Hepeng was still lost in thought, Li Sangrou had already finished the accounts. Closing the ledger, she asked, “Are you alright?”

“Ah, I am fine! I am fine, I am fine,” Lu Hepeng replied, snapping out of his reverie. “Thanks to the boss, I received a good lesson from you, boss.”

Li Sangrou raised an eyebrow.

Was he being sarcastic? But looking at his smiling face, this happiness and honor did not seem like it.

“It really is thanks to the Boss,” Lu Hepeng quickly explained with a smile, meeting Li Sangrou’s surprised expression. “Before serving the Boss, I worked under Master Wen, helping to organize case files related to the Ministry of Justice.

Well, saying I worked under Master Wen is not quite accurate. I worked under Master Tang, who was truly under Master Wen. There were twelve or thirteen people like me under Master Tang.

Before, being able to report to Master Wen in person was considered a great honor.

Before coming here to the Boss, that is, the day before, I went to the Shizi to receive a lesson. That was my first time meeting the Shizi.

The Boss is at least half a step ahead of the Shizi. If it were not for the Boss, how could I have received his instruction?”

Li Sangrou chuckled.

“Do not laugh, Boss. The Master is the eldest son of the Emperor and now oversees the country. Not just anyone can see him.

I was given a private lecture, a long, arduous one, and he even sent me to the Ministry of Justice to broaden my horizons. That’s quite a lot of face for him,” Lu Hepeng said seriously.

Li Sangrou could not help but burst into laughter.

Being lectured was all about saving face? Well, she admired that mentality.

“I am sorry for making you laugh, Boss.” Lu Hepeng laughed along.

“Since you put it that way, then I do not need to feel guilty. The Ministry of Justice did not give you any trouble, did they?” Li Sangrou asked with a smile.

“I cannot accept such a statement of guilt from the Boss.

I went to the Ministry of Justice to study under the Master’s orders; how could it possibly cause any trouble? Who would dare? Everything could not be easier.

Just now,” Lu Hepeng shifted closer, lowering his voice, “Minister Zhu of the Ministry of Justice told me that he has already assigned people to secretly investigate the Wang, Shi, and Ying families in Fuli Prefecture.

He said he wants to thoroughly investigate whether these three families have corrupt traditions, are rife with evil deeds, or are simply unfortunate enough to have produced one or two rebellious sons.

He also said that this matter was personally entrusted to him by Minister Wu, who repeatedly emphasized the need for impartiality and factual reporting, saying that countless eyes are watching.”

Li Sangrou hummed in agreement.

Wherever the sleight of hand was open, there were the Master’s spies.

That phrase, “countless eyes are watching,” was a well-intentioned but genuine reminder.

“Minister Zhu also said that they had all seen those confessions, and they said they were truly horrifying.

They said Magistrate Luo is definitely out of a job for life. The Prefect of Fuli Prefecture and the Censorate will see how well the investigation of those three families is going, but no matter what, a major dereliction of duty is unavoidable.

As for Magistrate Luo, he’s just waiting for the report from Fuli Prefecture. Once the decree of dismissal arrives, it will be issued, and someone else will be appointed to take over in Linhuan County.

This trip was all thanks to our boss.” Lu Hepeng breathed a sigh of relief, still somewhat shaken.

After the night she caused a ruckus in Liuzi Town, he had not slept well for several nights. He’d even thought about the possibility of being beheaded and whether it would implicate his family.

“Hmm, that Magistrate Luo, his name is Luo Lingyan, right? Could you find me a few more of his articles?

Especially articles that everyone knows he wrote, so they cannot be faked, like his examination papers, his memorials, and so on.” Li Sangrou asked Lu Hepeng.

“What’s the head Boss going to do with them?” Lu Hepeng asked, bowing slightly as he looked at Li Sangrou.

“Compare his biography with the one his grandfather wrote for his great-grandmother to everyone.” Li Sangrou did not hide anything, meeting Lu Hepeng’s surprised gaze, and continued, “Even if he can never be reinstated, he’s still a Jinshi and has served as an official. When he returns to his hometown, he will still be a local gentry and respected figure, right?

Like the Wang family, a single Xiucai¹ can control an entire town, turning Liuzi Town into a hellish place. What about someone like Luo Lingyan?

People like Luo Lingyan, as you said, kill without shedding blood, yet he thinks he’s a moral exemplar, a truly virtuous person.

People like him need to know how wicked they are. If his will is firm, if he firmly believes he is a model of virtue, then let him be infamous.”

“Does the boss mean, like when he questioned him the other day, comparing his writing with his great-grandmother’s biography?” Lu Hepeng narrowed his eyes, lowered his voice, and confirmed with Li Sangrou.

“Yes,” Li Sangrou gave a firm “Yes.”

Lu Hepeng paused for a moment, then gasped before chuckling, “If that’s the case, then the people Luo Lingyan has offended are…”

Lu Hepeng chuckled a few more times, then looked at Li Sangrou and explained, “A hundred years ago, when Luo Lingyan’s great-grandmother received her commendation, the world had just been pacified.

Before that, the world was in chaos and turmoil for nearly a century, with fewer than one in ten men remaining.

Around the time of pacification, the fields were full of women, and even boatmen were few and far between. Those who did find men were either too old or too young; those pulling the boats naked were all women!

Back then, seven or eight out of ten households were supported by women; women were the pillars of the family.

There was no other way; alas, it was tragic.

In those ten years, there were countless commendations like Luo Lingyan’s great-grandmother’s. Nowadays, almost every educated family has one or two similar commendations.

I understand what you mean, Boss. I will go look for them.

He’s been making this argument for a while now; there must be plenty of similar articles out there. I need to search carefully and find the most suitable one.

Oh, right, I remember one of his essays for the Hanlin Academy entrance exam was on this very topic. I will go find it right now!

Boss, this essay is easy to write. If you do not mind, I will write it. “

Lu Hepeng looked at Li Sangrou, eager to try.

“That would be perfect, saving me the trouble of finding someone to write it.

Take your time writing it; it’s not needed for several days yet. We need to wait for his decree of dismissal before we strike while he’s down,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“I understand!” Lu Hepeng replied with a smile, took his leave of Li Sangrou, and left.