Mo Sang – CH 262

Chapter 262. Two Chapters Combined

Around midnight, Li Sangrou returned to the ship. Without washing up, she went straight to bed. Around dawn, the fleet moved away from Chizhou and set sail.

At daybreak, Li Sangrou got up, opened the cabin window, watched the riverbank slowly receding, then collapsed back into bed and went back to sleep.

She slept until late morning or early afternoon before finally getting up and slowly taking a bath and washing up.

Emerging from the cabin, she saw Da Chang, squatting by the cabin door and scraping the flesh from a large fish. Seeing Li Sangrou come out, he pointed to the half-filled basin of fish meat and laughed. “Hei Ma and Chuantiao caught a few big black carp, each weighing over ten jin. We will scrape two to make fish balls. By the way, Ru-Yi has come over two or three times, saying the Shizi wants to speak with you if you are awake.”

“Add more ginger juice,” Li Sangrou said, squatting down and glancing at the basin of fish meat paste. “Send a basin over when it is done; it is getting late.”

Da Chang hummed in agreement. At this hour, if his Boss went over, he’d definitely have to stay for dinner with the Shizi.

Gu Xi was talking to General Cao, the vanguard. Li Sangrou went around to the aft cabin’s tea room, ordered a cup of tea, and slowly drank half of it. Ru-Yi came in and invited Li Sangrou to go to the forward cabin.

Gu Xi seemed very happy. “Tongling went very smoothly, a swift and decisive defeat with almost no casualties. It was truly a rout.

You only got back around midnight yesterday? Are you sleeping well now?”

Gu Xi spoke while carefully observing Li Sangrou’s complexion.

“Hmm, quite good.” Li Sangrou sat down in the armchair next to Gu Xi, accepted the tea offered by Ru-Yi, and smiled and bowed in thanks.

“Are those two young girls alright?” Gu Xi asked, looking at Li Sangrou.

“They are fine. With parents like those, those two girls are naturally much better than ordinary people,” Li Sangrou sighed.

“I’ve had someone inquire. The Jiang family and the Liang family are both prominent families in Shaoxing, with the Jiang family being even more powerful.

Liang Wen’s mother is still alive. Lady Jiang is a young girl; her parents died early, and she was raised by her Elder Brother and sister-in-law. It is said that her brother and sister-in-law treat Lady Jiang like a daughter, and both are still alive.

These two children will surely be well raised by both the Liang and Jiang families.

You do not need to worry too much,” Gu Xi said gently.

“Hmm.” Li Sangrou gave a vague “hmm,” then looked at Gu Xi and asked, “Have you written a memorial requesting them to be honored?”

“Not yet. This is not urgent. I wanted to hear your opinion before writing the memorial,” Gu Xi said with a smile.

“Liang Wen was shot and killed during a battle between the two armies. There’s nothing particularly noteworthy about that.

Old Lady Jiang committed suicide to follow her husband in death. The act of following her husband is insignificant. However, the fact that she could pull the knife out of her chest and say she felt no pain—that kind of courage and fearlessness is rare indeed.

Liang Wen’s eldest son, Liang Andao, is only sixteen years old this year. He faced death without fear, yet he showed compassion for his two younger sisters, refraining from imposing his own desires on them. His noble character and understanding are truly commendable.

If there is to be an honor, it should be for Old Lady Jiang’s fearlessness. Liang Andao’s courage and compassion have nothing to do with Liang Wen.” Li Sangrou’s tone was gentle.

“Alright,” Gu Xi answered decisively.

“One commendation, for the Jiang family, for their fearlessness.

The other, for Liang Andao.”

“Also, since Liang Wen and his wife, and Liang Andao’s branch have cut off their lineage, if the Liang family were to hold an ancestral hall for Liang Wen and Liang Andao’s branch, it would go against their wishes. This branch should be severed.”

“Alright,” Gu Xi agreed readily again.

“Old Lady Jiang and Liang Andao should have a record in the Southern Liang history books. I will find someone to write it, to recount the facts without judgment. As for Old Lady Jiang’s suicide, how should it be judged? Let future generations decide.” Li Sangrou sighed softly.

“Good,” Gu Xi nodded, carefully observing Li Sangrou’s expression, and gently advised, “Both the Liang and Jiang families are scholarly clans, valuing loyalty to the Emperor and husband, and lifelong fidelity.

When we were little, my older brother and I read the biographies of loyal ministers in history books. He once lamented, ‘How can someone who kills his father, son, and wife for the sake of loyalty to the Emperor be truly loyal?’

Our teacher said, ‘A ruler must understand this in his heart, but he cannot utter such words. Good and loyal ministers are sought from filial sons and loving fathers. When encountering such people and events, simply praising and honoring them is enough,'” Gu Xi said softly, looking at Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou remained silent for a long time, then sighed.

“Do not think so much. People are educated from a young age. The same words, spoken by different teachers, different parents, and different people, lead to different understandings. There are as many thoughts as there are people in the world.

Lady Jiang has achieved her wish, which is rare and can be considered a life without regrets. As for Liang Andao…”

Gu Xi paused, then sighed softly, “He’s sixteen now, an adult.

There are as many thoughts as there are people in the world. Each person has their own world. You were the one who told me that,” Gu Xi said, looking at Li Sangrou and gently comforting her.

“It’s nothing, just a small matter.

What are you having for dinner?

When I came over, Da Chang was scraping fish meat into paste to make fish balls. I asked him to bring over a bowl. What other dishes do you have?” Li Sangrou raised her voice and laughed.

……………………

After General Cao’s vanguard army captured Tongling City, they marched overland from Tongling straight towards Xuancheng.

As General Cao’s army advanced to the walls of Xuancheng, Chu Xing’s army, stationed outside Raozhou City, launched a night attack on Raozhou. Qiao An led light cavalry downstream to Huating County, landing there and advancing swiftly towards Pingjiang City.

The Great Qi Army advanced on Hangzhou from three sides, their morale high and their fighting spirit unmatched.

General Wu, assessing the situation, ordered his army to retreat to the Huzhou and Xiuzhou line to establish defenses.

Gu Xi’s army advanced into the Huzhou and Xiuzhou area. Seeing the Southern Liang Army’s scorched-earth policy in Huzhou and Xiuzhou, a desperate move, Gu Xi ordered his army to halt and begin clearing the large areas of Xuancheng and Runzhou that they had just captured.

Li Sangrou followed Gu Xi to Pingjiang. Seeing that the offensive had temporarily slowed down, she borrowed a few things from Gu Xi, took her leave, and headed towards Runzhou.

……………………

In Runzhou, Danyang County.

Li Sangrou sat in the lobby of one of Danyang County’s most luxurious restaurants, not far from the county yamen. One foot was propped on a chair as she sipped tea. She gestured to Hei Ma, who stood with a row of six or seven sycophants.

“This is our Boss!” Hei Ma stepped forward, raising his thumb and drawing it upwards above his head. “As for who our Boss is, you fish and shrimp in this small pond are not worthy to know!

Our Boss called you here to hear about the Yang family.

If you speak well, without reservation, our Boss will reward you handsomely—five taels of silver each! If you dare to lie, deceive, or fabricate stories, she will cut out half your tongue!

Alright, speak. You start.” Hei Ma pointed to the sycophant on the far left.

The group of hangers-on, standing in a row, was already trembling with fear before Hei Ma even spoke, determined to do whatever he told them.

They were the most notorious hangers-on in Runzhou City and Danyang County. To be a good hanger-on, the first requirement was to have keen insight and experience.

They had already witnessed the efficiency and ruthlessness of the men who had dragged them from various places.

They were definitely people who had truly seen blood, truly people who killed without blinking an eye. A large group of such men was now sitting or standing in the hall, watching them intently.

These were all the Boss’s men.

Although this Boss seemed harmless, this harmlessness was definitely only an appearance; they had seen her a couple of times before—a person of hidden strength.

“Yes, sir.” The hanger-on who had been pointed at by Hei Ma was extremely respectful. “The Yang family this gentleman is referring to, is it the Yang family of Runzhou, a prominent family in our region?”

“Your Runzhou. The Yang family of General Yang Wen of Jiangzhou,” Li Sangrou said gently.

“Yes, yes, our Runzhou, our Runzhou. That’s the Yang family of Runzhou, a prominent family in our region.” The hanger-on bowed repeatedly, hastily apologizing.

“Our Runzhou, speaking of which, is a land of abundant resources and outstanding people, a place of flourishing literature and numerous talented individuals. Originally, a prominent family needed generations of heritage, a clan with a strong tradition of scholarship, and a few Jinshi¹ and talented scholars to be considered a prominent family.

But now, I’ve misspoke! I misspoke! It was in the past, in the past!

In the past, Jiangbei was Jiangbei, and Jiangnan was Jiangnan. It was not a time of peace. In times of turmoil, things are different.

The Yang family became our… I misspoke!

The Yang family only became a prominent family in Runzhou in the last ten years or so. It is just that they produced a General Yang and married a woman considered a ‘Goddess of Wealth.’ With a general and a ‘Goddess of Wealth,’ they became a prominent family.”

The sycophant glanced at Li Sangrou, seeing her somber face, and his heart tightened. He immediately turned back obediently.

“I have a sharp tongue; I always want to say something sarcastic, no matter what I say.

Speaking of which, although the Yang family became a prominent family late, in the last ten years or so, they’ve done good deeds and accumulated merit, repairing bridges and roads and giving away countless amounts of money.

There’s a school in the north of Runzhou City with over a thousand students. Enrollment is free, and they receive two meals a day, morning and noon. After three months, there’s a small exam. If they pass, the tuition continues to be free, and they receive two meals a day. If they fail, they only need to pay for the meals, plus thirty large coins a month.

Although the school is not very good, it is free. Children from poor families in Runzhou can learn to read and write—what a great act of kindness! Many families in and around Runzhou City keep memorial tablets for Old Master Yang. This is truly a tremendous act of merit.

Besides these things, the Yang family also built a charitable public cemetery. Every year on the Double Ninth Festival, they send money, rice, and wine to the elderly in and around the city. They are truly a family that accumulates good deeds.

Furthermore, over ten years ago, when Old Master Yang returned to Runzhou Prefecture, the first thing he did was build the Yang Clan School and the Yang Family Ancestral Hall and acquire vast amounts of ancestral land and school land. Now, the Yang family’s ancestral land and school land are second to none in Runzhou. Their ancestral land is more than double that of the second-ranked Zhou family, and their school land is more than twice that of the Tian family. These are all grand gestures, demonstrating remarkable foresight.

Even the primary teachers at the Yang Clan School are renowned scholars. In recent years, when it comes to clan schools in Runzhou, the Yang family is undoubtedly the best.

Besides the clan school, the Yang family also built the Runze Academy, hiring the great Confucian scholar, Master Tong, as its headmaster. Now, it has gained some fame in Jiangnan.

Last month was the anniversary of the death of General Yang of the Yang family. The Emperor… the Liang Emperor posthumously conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. The Yang family commissioned a biography and staged a theatrical performance, celebrating his loyalty and bravery. The festivities lasted for over a month, and we just finished cleaning up a few days ago.

Although the Yang family rose to prominence late, their vision and philanthropy, even now, make them worthy of the title ‘Renzhou Prestigious Family.'”

The first sycophant finished in one breath, not daring to look up, only glancing up at Li Sangrou’s expression.

“Hmph,” Li Sangrou snorted coldly, gesturing to the second man, “You continue.”

“Yes.” The second sycophant bowed, having already weighed Li Sangrou’s cold snort seventeen or eighteen times.

“What I heard was not anything good, just rumors.

The Yang family’s old residence was originally in Yuxian Town, Danyang County. They were considered wealthy households in Yuxian Town, but only those with a few mu of land and a few shops.

The current head of the Yang clan, Old Master Yang, is said to be the second son of the wealthy Yang family in Yuxian Town, Old Master Yang’s Elder Brother. The eldest son of the Yang family was said to be sickly, and this second son had an affair with his sister-in-law, resulting in the birth of General Yang.

It’s said that the eldest son could not have sex, so the child was born…”

The hanger-on chuckled dryly.

“This is not too long ago, only about forty years ago.

That year, first, the eldest son’s wife died suddenly, then the eldest son also died of illness. The second son said he went out to do business and was gone for thirty years. Later, he returned home in glory, saying General Yang was his nephew. I heard that in their Yang clan genealogy, General Yang is recorded under the name of Old Master Yang’s Eldest Brother and sister-in-law.”

The hanger-on finished speaking, chuckling dryly.

“Hmm, you go on,” Li Sangrou gestured to the third hanger-on.

“Yes!” The third sycophant bowed and nodded, taking a half-step forward. “What I’ll say is just hearsay, mere rumors.

It’s said that the Yang family’s rise to power was entirely due to General Yang marrying the only daughter of the wealthy Meng family in Huating County.

I’ve heard that General Yang was originally a married-in son-in-law with proper documentation. However, at that time, General Yang had achieved some military merit, and his career was flourishing. The wealthy Meng family also wanted their son-in-law to have a good future, so they kept the matter of the son-in-law marrying-in a secret.

Later, after the wealthy Meng family died, General Yang, using the Meng family’s wealth, rose higher and higher in rank, completely erasing the matter of being a married-in son-in-law. He then took a concubine and had a child with her.

The Meng family of Huating County is extremely shrewd in business. I’ve heard they are incredibly wealthy. They only have one daughter, and everyone says that the Yang family’s vast fortune actually comes from the Meng family.

However, since the Meng family’s only daughter married into the Yang family, her dowry, hehe, will eventually belong to the Yang family too. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Li Sangrou gave a vague “hmm” and looked at the fourth sycophant.

Before Li Sangrou could speak, the fourth sycophant hurriedly stepped forward, smiling obsequiously. “What I know is just hearsay.

The Yang clan head, Old Master Yang, is an extremely shrewd and capable man; everyone in Runzhou Prefecture knows that.

It’s said that General Yang was able to marry the Meng family’s only daughter back then entirely because of Old Master Yang’s shrewdness and capability.

They say that when Old Master Yang was rushing Lady Meng to offer incense, he arranged for General Yang to bump into her and flatter her. General Yang is quite handsome, especially in his youth!

Later, they say Old Master Yang swore a solemn oath to the Meng family, using all sorts of deception to get General Yang to marry Lady Meng. From then on, the Yang family became incredibly powerful.”

“What I know, you’ve already said,” the fifth sycophant said with a mournful face.

“Then tell me, which branches of the Yang family are there now, who are they, who are educated, and who are good at business?” Li Sangrou asked calmly.

“Yes, yes!” the fifth sycophant sighed in relief. “The Yang family currently has three branches: the Feng branch, where Old Master Yang, also known as General Yang, resides; the Sheng branch, originally based in Danyang County; and the Geng branch.

Besides General Yang’s branch, ten years ago, Old Master Yang took in an orphan from the clan named Yang Huan, treating him as his grandson. This Yang Huan has already passed the provincial examination and is extremely talented. If it were not for the war, he would have already passed the imperial examination long ago.

The Sheng branch is the most prosperous. Currently, one member of the Yang family who passed the provincial examination is from the Feng branch, and five out of seven members who passed the county-level examination are from the Sheng branch. The other two are from the Geng branch.

The Geng branch is formed by the scattered descendants of the Yang family. Old Master Yang brought them together and created the Geng branch.

Almost all of the Yang family’s businesses are managed by the Geng branch. The third master of the Geng branch is Old Master Yang’s right-hand man; this is common knowledge throughout Runzhou.”

“That’s about it. Give each of them five taels of silver.” Li Sangrou gestured to the henchmen to stop talking and then instructed Hei Ma.

Hei Ma, clutching a white cloth bag, pulled out small silver coins, one for each of the henchmen, distributing them one by one.

After shooing the henchmen out of the restaurant, Hei Ma rushed to Li Sangrou’s side. “Boss, what’s next? What do we do?”

“Next, we will just grab them,” Li Sangrou replied.

“Huh?” Hei Ma paused, then abruptly turned to look at Xiao Lu, causing Xiao Lu to jump back. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Boss, you mean grabbing them?” Hei Ma reached out, making a grabbing motion in the air.

“Yes.” Li Sangrou hummed in agreement and held out her hand to Da Chang.

Da Chang pulled out the booklet Nanny Zhang had given him and handed it to Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou flipped through the booklet, glanced at it, and then handed it to Hei Ma. “You and Xiao Lu write down everything listed here, including the land deeds.”

“Alright! I am an expert at this! Who should we transfer it to? Madam Meng?” Hei Ma asked cheerfully.

“Put it under Zhang San’s name,” Li Sangrou said.

“Who is Zhang San?” Hei Ma asked abruptly, then realized, “It’s just someone’s name, right? It is just a name; whatever the name, it is ours.”

“Boss, will this work? Runzhou was just captured; the people’s hearts are not in it yet,” Da Chang muttered.

“This is the only way,” Li Sangrou sighed.

“These properties were all forcibly seized from Madam Meng. The Yang family plundered countless riches from the Meng family, using them to repair bridges and roads, do good deeds, build schools, and bury the dead. That old patriarch Yang is practically a god in Runzhou City. Given time, if members of the Yang family pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom, spreading far and wide, they will be famous throughout the land.

No wonder Madam Meng is so upset; I feel the same way.

And as you just heard, even the hangers-on think that Madam Meng’s dowry and the Meng family’s properties belong to the Yang family. Whether Madam Meng agrees or not is irrelevant; if she does not, it is because she’s ignorant and lacks manners. It is her fault; it is the Meng family’s fault.

They blatantly robbed her with perfect justification and righteous indignation. Now, what means can we use to get these assets back? Set a trap or extort them? Earn it back in business?

It’s not impossible, but setting a trap or extorting them is even more despicable than outright robbery, is it not?

As for earning it back in business, Madam Meng is far more skilled in that than we are. Why has she not done it? Because, why? Why should I have to go through all the trouble to earn back what was outright stolen?

Even if the stolen silver is lost at the gambling den, even if the person who was robbed wins it back, it is a different matter, is it not?

Sigh, after thinking about it, what was outright stolen is only truly satisfying when it is outright stolen back.

That’s the kind of satisfaction Madam Meng wants,” Li Sangrou said, sighing.

“Outright robbery it is, then,” Meng Yanqing chuckled. “Firstly, it might not affect public morale, and secondly, even if it does, for the sake of Jiangzhou City, the Shizi has to bear the consequences.”

“It’s no problem at all. They took the property from Madam Meng willingly and voluntarily; it is only right and proper. So, we are taking it willingly and voluntarily as well. Everyone’s doing it willingly,” Li Sangrou said, squinting at Hei Ma, who was writing the contract.

Hei Ma was very skilled at writing contracts. Although his handwriting was messy, each stroke was clear and legible. Li Sangrou looked through them one by one, shook them with satisfaction, and handed them to Hei Ma. “Take this. Watch them sign and put their fingerprints on it later. Let’s go.”

The group left the restaurant and headed straight for Runzhou City.

Old Master Yang and his entourage had returned to Runzhou ten years ago and established residences, ancestral halls, and clan schools there. Only their ancestral graves remained in Danyang County, and they only returned for a few days each year during the annual ancestral rites.

Danyang County was not far from Runzhou City. Around dusk, the group entered Runzhou City. Li Sangrou led Da Chang to find an inn to stay at, while Meng Yanqing and the others, along with Hei Ma, went about their business, working until late afternoon before returning to the inn.

The next day, after breakfast, Meng Yanqing and the others, all dressed in black, left the inn and went straight to the places and people they had scouted the day before, arresting them one by one. Da Chang, carrying the General’s seal, entered the Runzhou yamen.

At dawn, in the bustling city of Runzhou, in teahouses, schools, streets, and shops, members of the Yang family were being pushed towards the Yang Family Ancestral Hall by black-clad men, their hands bound behind their backs.

Inside the yamen, constables, carrying avoidance signs, ran in a long line towards the Yang Family Mansion and Ancestral Hall in the east of the city. They erected avoidance signs at various intersections, waving their hands and shouting, “Make way! Take a detour! We are handling a case! Hurry up!”

Old Master Yang, always an early riser, had just finished breakfast and was standing under the eaves, writing with his wrist suspended.

This was his way of maintaining health.

“Old Master! Something terrible has happened! Outside…” The gatekeeper rushed in, but before he could finish his report, Dong Chao, with two men, strode in.

“Your surname is Yang? Old Master Yang? My general requests your presence. Let’s go.” Before Dong Chao could finish his sentence, two Yunmeng guards had already grabbed Old Master Yang, making him almost unable to stand.

“Who are you? What do you want? This is Runzhou Prefecture! This is the Yang family! My surname is Yang! This is a yamen…”

Old Master Yang angrily shouted all the way out of the gate, but his shouts abruptly stopped when he saw the yamen runners holding a sign to avoid him and waving and shouting to drive him away.

The Yunmeng guards, carrying Old Master Yang, turned a corner and rushed into the Yang family ancestral hall, up to the two-story building facing the stage.

Upstairs, the doors facing the stage had all been removed. A table stood against the railing, with tea sets on it. Li Sangrou was leaning against the railing, sipping tea, watching the increasing number of Yang family members in the courtyard of the ancestral hall.

Old Master Yang was carried up to the second floor and pushed in front of Li Sangrou.

“You’ve arrived. Wait a moment; not everyone is here yet,” Li Sangrou said casually.

“Who are you?” Old Master Yang glanced into the courtyard, his face turning ashen.

Li Sangrou looked at the people in the ancestral hall courtyard but did not answer Old Master Yang’s question.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Old Master Yang raised his voice.

Li Sangrou turned to look at Old Master Yang and smiled. “I am a friend of Madam Meng. Entrusted by Madam Meng, I have come to seek justice for what your Yang family owes her.”

Hearing the name “Meng,” Old Master Yang subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. “Meng? Meng is my Yang family wife!”

“Oh, is that so? She said Yang Wen is her Meng family husband,” Li Sangrou replied calmly.

“Where is Meng now? General Yang died for his country; where is she? And where is my eldest grandson?” Old Master Yang stared at Li Sangrou and asked.

“Yang Wen did not die for his country. He begged me not to kill him, saying he had wanted to surrender for a long time. However, I killed him because I promised Madam Meng that, whether he surrendered or not, I had to kill him,” Li Sangrou explained earnestly, looking at Old Master Yang.

Old Master Yang was stunned for a moment, staring at Li Sangrou. “You?”

“Your Yang family ancestral hall is really well-built. This building, and the opera stage opposite, are all carved and gilded. Each carving must have taken five or six workers, right? How much silver did it cost in total?” Li Sangrou turned and looked around, asking casually.

“What do you want? Who are you?” Old Master Yang asked again.

“I am here for a small matter: to retrieve Madam Meng’s dowry, to retrieve it without missing a single coin,” Li Sangrou said, smiling at Old Master Yang.

“Madam Meng is a woman of the Yang family!” Old Master Yang sneered. “Is this young lady married? Do you know that marriage means returning home?”

“How many properties are there in total?” Li Sangrou ignored Old Master Yang’s words and asked Da Chang.

“Sixty-nine properties.” Da Chang slapped the booklet in his hand.

“Under whose names are they now? Have you found out?” Li Sangrou continued.

“This is the government’s record; they are all Yang family ancestral lands or school lands,” Da Chang said in a muffled voice, shaking another file.

Old Master Yang sneered.

“How are the ancestral lands and school lands transferred? Have you asked Prefect Guo?” Li Sangrou continued.

“Yes, Prefect Guo said that the transfer can be completed with the signatures and seals of the clan head, elders, and heads of each branch.

The original clan head was Yang Wen. After Yang Wen’s death, the title of clan head was held by Yang Wen’s eldest son. The clan elder is Yang Wen’s uncle. The heads of the three branches of the Yang clan are all here.”

Da Chang craned his neck to look down.

“Prefect Guo said that Yang Wen’s son is currently missing, so his great-uncle can act in his place. In that case, four people’s fingerprints will be enough.”

“Bring those three people up and have them put their fingerprints on them one by one,” Li Sangrou ordered, sitting down in a chair.

“Young lady, you really dare to have such delusions!” Old Master Yang spat.

The Yunmeng Guards pushed the heads of the Feng, Sheng, and Geng branches up to the second floor.

“In broad daylight! How dare you commit robbery! I warn you!” The head of the Sheng branch shouted as he was led up.

“Shut him up,” Li Sangrou ordered.

The Yunmeng Guard, pushing the head of the Sheng branch, slapped him across the face, causing half of his cheek to swell.

“Stop daydreaming! Even if we die, we will not sign anything. If you want to rob, then rob openly! Rob until the whole world knows; let all the people of Jiangnan see how you openly plunder and steal from Jiangnan!”

Old Master Yang said through gritted teeth.

“Bring him up,” Li Sangrou said, squinting at Old Master Yang.

“Bring him up!” “Hei Ma waved and shouted.

Yang Huan, the only scholar in the Yang clan registered under Old Master Yang’s name, along with seven other Yang clan scholars, was dragged forward.

Hei Ma took the memorial handed to him by Datou, ripped it open with a whoosh, coughed sharply, and loudly read: “Upon investigation, Yang Huan of Runzhou is a homosexual, having relations with many young men in the clan, engaging in illicit affairs day and night, and taking advantage of others in their vulnerable state, sexually assaulting several men, resulting in the deaths of three.”

“Nonsense!” Yang Huan screamed.

“It’s not nonsense. There are witnesses and physical evidence, even the bodies. Do you want to go see them?” Hei Ma said seriously, lowering the memorial and looking at Yang Huan.

“In broad daylight, you dare to spout such nonsense and slander someone’s innocence!” Old Master Yang’s face turned deathly pale with anger.

“How did Madam Meng’s dowry and the Meng family’s property end up in your Yang family?” Li Sangrou looked at Old Master Yang and asked.

“She’s a member of the Yang family! This is what she should do! It is her duty! She did it willingly, that’s what she said!” Old Master Yang roared angrily, veins bulging on his neck.

“Her duty, she did it willingly?” Li Sangrou laughed. “You spout nonsense with such self-righteousness, yet you will not allow me to speak freely. Why should I?

Before, you took Lady Meng’s dowry and took the Meng family’s property recklessly, speaking nonsense. Why? Because Yang Wen was strong and capable in a fight, and Lady Meng was powerless because the Meng family only had one orphan, and your Yang family had more people and more power, right?

Now, it is just the cycle of karma; what you swallowed, you spit out.

These properties, either you return them as they are, or starting with Yang Huan, every male member of your Yang family will be implicated in a similar case. Tomorrow at this time, take them outside the city, line them up, and execute them immediately.”

“You dare!” Old Master Yang screamed, tears streaming down his face.

“First, hand over Yang Huan. Tell Prefect Guo that this immoral and inhumane act must be widely publicized. At least make sure everyone in Runzhou knows about this wicked person and their evil deeds!” Li Sangrou waved her hand.

“Go!”

With a wave of her hand, two Yunmeng Guards grabbed Yang Huan and started to carry him downstairs. Yang Huan screamed in terror, “Grandfather, save me! I did not! Save me!”

“In broad daylight, how dare you…” Old Master Yang trembled.

“You dared to steal, you dared to do it willingly; why would I not?” Li Sangrou looked coldly at Old Master Yang. “I will ask you one last time: sign or not?”

Li Sangrou stood up as she spoke.

“Old Master, as long as he’s alive, the family will survive. Huan’er is the most important thing,” said the third master of the Geng branch, crawling on his knees to Old Master Yang, weeping as he pleaded.

Old Master Yang slumped to the ground, letting out a long sigh, tears streaming down his face.

“Look, it is all done willingly, is it not? Tell me yourself, is it not all done willingly?” Li Sangrou said coldly, looking at Old Master Yang kneeling on the ground, signing and affixing his fingerprint.