Chapter 40

Tying two people onto a donkey cart created a new dilemma.

In Xü Mò and Cháng Yàn's plan, Zhèng Rúqián would drive a donkey cart to lure the snake out of its hole, while Fāng Héng would rent another donkey cart to follow behind.

That left one carriage with no one to drive it.

Jiāng Shēng was eager to try, but her brothers held her back firmly.

None of them wanted to see their little sister flipping a carriage into a ditch, especially in the dead of winter.

"Let's tie the old donkey here," Xǔ Mò suggested.

The rented donkey cart had to be returned, while the carriage was more valuable.

Zhèng Rúqián stroked the old donkey's head, reluctant but agreeing this was the best option.

The group left the old donkey behind with enough food and water, afraid to hobble it in case it became distressed.

Then they hurried towards Yúnshuǐ County.

Rushing day and night, they reached the county town in just two days.

Halfway there, Páng Dàshān woke up. Without Jiāng Shēng saying anything, he spoke remorsefully, "I'm sorry, it's my fault."

Jiāng Shēng was silent for a moment. "Big brother Dàshān, will you testify for us?"

Eldest brother was right.

Someone who could be used by the enemy could also be used for their benefit.

Finally they arrived at the Yúnshuǐ County yamen.

Zhèng Rúqián knelt outside the gates as soon as he dismounted, and began beating a drum demanding justice.

Before long, the magistrate of Yúnshuǐ County ascended the hall to investigate.

Zhèng Rúqián kowtowed to the ground, tearfully recounting how he had been ambushed and robbed on the road, and even beaten.

He did not exaggerate or conceal Gāo Yàyí's identity as a yamen runner.

Instead, in front of the villagers and people of Yúnshuǐ County, he declared in a ringing voice, "This man is a yamen runner from Xiéyáng County. Relying on his status, he has long oppressed commoners. Moreover, he roams the roads between counties to rob travelers. As a commoner with no recourse, I can only plead to the Imperial Magistrate of Yúnshuǐ County to restore peace and order for us common folk."

The incident occurred between the two counties, so Yúnshuǐ County's magistrate had jurisdiction. Pointing out Gāo Yàyí's identity as a yamen runner was because this magistrate had a strong hatred for corrupt officials who abused their power.

Sure enough, after Zhèng Rúqián kowtowed three times, the Yúnshuǐ magistrate spoke.

"Since you've entered Yúnshuǐ County, I will get to the bottom of this matter. Officers, give two hundred heavy strokes of the rod to whoever refuses to tell the truth. When the truth comes out, the beating will stop."

The magistrate's intent was for everyone present to be beaten, including the plaintiff Zhèng Rúqián.

But he deliberately left the subject ambiguous, leading the two yamen runners to think they would be punished.

Based on experience, fifty heavy strokes could nearly kill a man.

Two hundred strokes was meant to be fatal.

While the senior yamen runner remained defiant, the other was now afraid. He kowtowed and pleaded for their lives, "Your Honor, spare us. I was wrong, I'm willing to make amends..."

The Yúnshuǐ magistrate smiled faintly and banged the gavel. "Since you've admitted guilt, tell me the full story!"

Not daring to resist, the yamen runner truthfully recounted how the children had offended Gāo Yàyí by not handing over a tiger skin and whip. Gāo Yàyí was upset he didn't dare provoke the Jiāng family or Yōurán Lodge, so he took it out on the children instead. But Gāo Yàyí didn't intend to kill the kids. He only wanted to intimidate them, so in the future if they hunted anything good, they would proactively offer it up.

Finally, the yamen runner sobbed, "Your Honor, we didn't plot murder. We only wanted to frighten some children. Please spare our lives, spare us!"

What glib words, turning assault and battery into mere intimidation and threats. Any punishment would be limited.

Xǔ Mò snorted coldly and pushed Páng Dàshān forward.

Compared to Zhèng Rúqián who was unharmed, Páng Dàshān was in terrible shape.

One arm was wrapped in white cloth, hanging limply against his chest.

The injuries on his face and body, having healed for two to three days, had turned into horrifying patches of purple-blue all over.

Without him saying a word, just kneeling there was shocking to behold.

After Páng Dàshān finished his tearful account, even the villagers observing cried out in pity for the child.

The Yúnshuǐ magistrate was even more furious. He banged the gavel and said, "If this is just intimidation, then murder and arson must be flaying and dismembering corpses!"

The yamen runners had no rebuttal.

The magistrate looked to the law advisor. "According to Great Yú Kingdom law, what is the punishment for attempted robbery and homicide?"

Unhurriedly, the advisor replied, "At minimum five years, up to ten years."

"Very well." The magistrate banged his gavel again. "With clear evidence and a confession by the offenders, officers, take these two criminals to the prison for seven years before their release!"

Seven years was a relatively heavy sentence.

The other yamen runner hadn't expected that just bullying people a little would end with this. His eyes rolled back as he fainted.

Gāo Yàyí also hadn't anticipated someone would actually punish him.

He struggled wildly, kicking away the Yúnshuǐ officers trying to grab him. Screaming hysterically, "Get away! I'm from Xiéyáng County. You don't have the authority to arrest me. My brother-in-law is the Xiéyáng magistrate. If you touch me, he won't let you get away with it!"

So that was why.

No wonder the Xiéyáng magistrate protected Gāo Yàyí. No wonder so many yamen runners curried favor from him. Turns out there was someone backing him. Unfortunately for Gāo Yàyí, this was Yúnshuǐ County.

After hearing his words, the Yúnshuǐ magistrate was not scared. Rather, he rolled up his sleeves and declared, "Let him come! If I fear him, I'll give him my head!"

"Officers, clear the hall!"

With a bang of the gavel, the doors of the Yúnshuǐ yamen slowly closed.

Jiāng Shēng stood in the street outside the yamen gates, still somewhat in disbelief.

"Gāo Yàyí was dealt with, just like that?" She couldn't believe that a group of children like them could take down such a powerful adult using wisdom and strength.

"The key wasn't us," said Xǔ Mò heavily. "It was Yúnshuǐ County having an upright magistrate."

If officials protected each other, no scheme could have toppled Gāo Yàyí.

Luckily, there were still just officials in the world.

They stretched out their not yet full-grown wings, protecting all the people under their jurisdiction.

"Then does this count as eliminating evil on behalf of the people?" Wēn Zhīyǔn suddenly spoke up.

The siblings' spirits were instantly lifted. A sense of pride rushed from the soles of their feet straight to the crowns of their heads.

Zhèng Rúqián happily suggested, "Since we have two carts in Yúnshuǐ, we should buy more vegetables to bring back."

"And some tasty snacks and fun stuff too!" Jiāng Shēng chattered excitedly.

Cháng Yàn smiled and took out the gold ornaments Páng Dàshān had discarded in the dilapidated temple. "That's right, we can use this money."

The six siblings cheered and jumped up happily.

Páng Dàshān followed behind, a smile also tugging at his lips.

Jiāng Shēng suddenly turned back. "Big brother Dàshān is injured. What treats do you want?"

Páng Dàshān shook his head vigorously.

He didn't want anything. He had already gotten what he wanted.

"Oh, there are candied haws up ahead." Jiāng Shēng dashed forward. "Shopkeeper, seven please!"

Lively Zhèng Rúqián dragged Fāng Héng forward, pulling Wēn Zhīyǔn along too.

Páng Dàshān hesitated before following.

Only Xǔ Mò and Cháng Yàn remained.

After confirming the distance between them, Xǔ Mò's tone became serious again. "With Gāo Yàyí's relationship to the Xiéyáng magistrate, they likely won't let us off easily."

"What's there to fear?" Cháng Yàn smiled gently. "We have someone protecting us too."

"Who?"

"You guess."