Rebirth Married The Control group Fulang Chapter 121

Chapter 121

　　The highest-ranking official Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He had ever encountered in Siyang was the sixth-grade Deputy Magistrate from the Zeng family. They’d never seen anyone of higher status.  

　　Though the county government office had deliberately reduced the number of public trials in recent years, they still accepted petitions on the first and fifteenth of each month. Yet today’s procession of officials made it seem like the courtroom had finally deigned to hear a case.  

　　Watching the once-mighty county magistrate and deputy magistrate bow and scrape, the wide-eyed Qin father and son hurried to pay respects. The Zhang couple followed protocol with equal solemnity.  

　　The magistrate stammered, "Prefectural Judge, what brings Your Honor here? This humble official failed to greet you, a grave oversight!"  

　　The judge smiled warmly, a stark contrast to Deputy Magistrate Zeng’s earlier demeanor. "No matter, I was merely passing through Siyang. With its growing population, stable taxes, and prosperous citizens, the prefecture has praised this county repeatedly. I thought I’d take a look."  

　　The two flustered officials ushered him to the seat of honor. Deputy Magistrate Zeng, now relegated to the sidelines, forced a smile at the compliments, his earlier unease fading slightly.  

　　Seated comfortably, the judge continued, "Noticing the crowd outside a closed courtroom, I inquired and learned a trial was underway." He turned to the county magistrate. "Closed trials are rare, unless involving officials or sensitive matters. Surely this isn’t about Deputy Magistrate Zeng?"  

　　"Certainly not!" Zeng interjected. "This is merely a commercial dispute!"  

　　"Oh?" The judge feigned confusion. "Then why is the Deputy Magistrate present?"  

　　"I... came to observe."  

　　"Commendable! A newly transferred official personally overseeing local cases shows dedication." The judge nodded approvingly. "But if this is an ordinary dispute, why bar the public? The people outside seem eager to listen."  

　　Seizing the moment, Zhang Fangyuan interjected, "Your Honor, I previously requested an open trial but was denied."  

　　"Indeed?" The judge's gaze sharpened at the county magistrate, who glared at Zhang Fangyuan.  

　　Unfazed, Zhang Fangyuan held his ground. If the county magistrate would twist justice, why spare him embarrassment before his superior? Even rabbits bite when cornered. 

[兔子急了尚且还会咬人" (tùzi jíle shàngqiě hái huì yǎo rén): lit. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered; fig. Even gentle or powerless people will retaliate when pushed too far]

　　"Unless the case is sensitive, public requests should be granted," the judge chided. "Was there a valid reason?"  

　　The magistrate backpedaled. "N-none! But with both parties being prominent merchants, a public trial might harm Siyang’s reputation, hence the discretion."  

　　"Thoughtful, but unnecessary if the parties themselves don’t object." The judge waved a hand. "Open the doors. Let the people witness justice."  

　　Gritting his teeth, the magistrate praised the "wisdom" of the order while exchanging uneasy glances with Deputy Magistrate Zeng.  

　　"Where does the case stand?"  

　　As the magistrate began explaining, the judge interrupted. "Since I missed the earlier proceedings, let’s restart the trial."  

　　"But-"  

　　"Unless Magistrate Zhao finds it... inconvenient?"  

　　"Not at all!" The magistrate blanched. "We’ll begin anew."  

　　Outside, the murmuring crowd fell silent at the gavel’s strike.  

　　The trial recommenced with full procedure.  

　　"Your Honor," Zhang Fangyuan declared, "Qin Shang exploits his family’s martial arts schools to bully citizens. His thugs harass women and ge'ers openly. This incident began with his harassment. Witnesses fear retaliation, but this woman is one of his past victims."  

　　Qin Hongde countered, "Baseless slander! This woman has no proof, she’s clearly bribed by the Zhang family!"  

　　Thud! A rotten vegetable smacked Qin Hongde’s head, followed by a barrage of greens hurled at Qin Shang. The crowd erupted:  

　　"Qin Shang bullies us daily! Harassing women, smashing stalls if anyone blocks his path!"  

　　"Your Honor, my leg was broken by his men!"  

　　Emboldened by numbers and the judge’s presence, the crowd aired grievances they’d never dare voice alone. The Qin father and son cowered as the magistrate’s face darkened to ink-black.  

　　The judge let the chaos simmer before raising a hand. "Order! The court will deliver justice." He eyed the magistrate. "Won’t it, Magistrate Zhao?"  

　　"Y-yes, Prefectural Judge!"  

　　The magistrate’s gavel cracked. "Qin Hongde, Qin Shang, confess your crimes!"  

　　Realizing their protection had crumbled, the Qin father and son knelt, pleading innocence.  

　　"One witness may be doubted, but a crowd?" The magistrate sneered. "You deceived this court and framed the innocent!"  

　　"Verdict: Qin Shang pays 100 taels to the victim and receives twenty cane strikes. For false accusation against the Zhang family: 200 taels compensation!"  

　　Before the verdict landed, the judge added, "Given the malicious competition, and Qin family’s history of using martial arts schools to oppress citizens, they shall no longer operate such businesses."  

　　The magistrate, swallowing his fury, amended the ruling: "Post-trial, the Qin family is banned from running martial arts schools in Siyang. Violators will be expelled!"  

　　The crowd cheered as the Zhang couple exhaled in relief.  

　　Monetary fines were trivial to merchants, but losing their trade backbone crippled the Qin family. As the battered father and son fled, the crowd pelted them with rotten eggs and sewage, sparing the Zhang family pristine reputation.  

　　The tearful Mrs. Shen, now compensated for her husband’s injuries, thanked Xu He profusely at the courtroom steps, nearly kowtowing.  

　　Spotting the departing judge, Zhang Fangyuan nudged Xu He. After comforting Mrs. Shen, they approached to express gratitude.  

　　"No need," the judge said warmly. "Upholding justice is my duty. Moreover..." He lowered his voice. "Your son is a favourite student of Lord Luo. Though retired, he once taught me at the Imperial Academy. His letter about this matter shamed me, Siyang’s corruption reflects poorly on my oversight."  

　　The couple masked their shock. Lord Luo? 

　　As the judge left, Deputy Magistrate Zeng watched bitterly from afar. "So the boy refused to yield because he’d already climbed a taller tree, the Prefectural Judge himself."  

　　Back in their carriage, Xu He whispered, "Who is Master Luo? Even the judge called him ‘Lord’..."  

　　Recalling Luo Yan’s dignified bearing during their visits, Zhang Fangyuan pieced it together: "A former Imperial Academy Chancellor. Fourth-rank, but with disciples among nobility, true influence lies in his connections."  

[Imperial Academy Chancellor (国子监祭酒, Guózǐjiàn Jìjiǔ): Head of the highest educational institution in imperial China, typically a fourth-rank official. Though not politically powerful, the role commanded immense respect due to its influence over scholars and future officials]

　　Yet mysteries remained: Why had Master Luo retired so young? Why raise his grandson in Siyang instead of the capital?  

　　Their questions would have to wait. At home, Little Ruili and Ruijin raced to greet them.  

　　"Did we win?" Little Ruili blurted.  

　　Xu He smiled. "Thanks to your teacher’s help."  

　　The boy clapped. "I knew Master Luo would fix it!"  

　　Ruijin sighed. "Teacher worried the lawsuit would distract us. He intervened because..." He hesitated.  

　　"Because he didn’t want Great-Grandfather Zeng stealing Brother away!" Little Ruili crowed.  

　　Ruijin swatted his brother’s head. "Don’t babble nonsense."  

　　Zhang Fangyuan chuckled. "Then we owe Master Luo even more. Study harder to repay his kindness."  

　　As the boys scampered off, Xu He murmured, "We must visit the Luo family with proper gifts. Such a debt can’t be repaid lightly."