"We heard about the poisoning among the commoners—it’s affected so many, even some students at the academy have taken ill. When we learned yesterday that Brother Fang had acted as a litigation master, everyone was stirred and inspired, greatly regretting not being there in person to hear Brother Fang's arguments."
Qiu Yanqi said, "When I heard testimonies needed to be recorded from the commoners, I figured it would require many people who could read and write. I asked Master Zhang for a day's leave to come help Brother Fang with the recordings. I didn't expect everyone else to find out about this and also ask for leave to come help. Seeing so many requesting leave, Master Zhang thought this was also a public service. He didn't hold lectures today, saying anyone willing to come help could come. So, everyone ended up here."
Fang Yu was deeply moved. With more people recording testimonies, the commoners could receive their medicine sooner, and the situation could be resolved more quickly. He had been worried the two clerks sent by the yamen were too few and had even brought his own accountant. Now, with the academy classmates here, they suddenly had over twenty more people. Things would proceed very quickly now.
"Fang Yu thanks all my fellow classmates here for your righteous assistance."
Seeing Fang Yu bow in thanks, everyone felt somewhat embarrassed. "Brother Fang, we didn't come just for you. While you were away, the Master kept a very tight rein on us. The moment our attention slipped, he'd grab us by the ear and scold us. It's not easy for us to get out like this today—finally a chance to catch our breath."
"Exactly. Besides, we can also do a good deed. Finding the source sooner will let everyone study with peace of mind!"
Bantering back and forth, the atmosphere became very relaxed. Fang Yu had someone borrow over twenty long tables from nearby, prepared ink, brushes, and paper, and arranged tea and refreshments for the classmates who came to help. As he went around delivering things, he noticed Liang Minxu had also come; he hadn't spotted him earlier in the crowd.
Liang Minxu, seeing Fang Yu looking at him, uncomfortably dipped his brush in ink, lowering his head as if engrossed in recording a testimony, not greeting or engaging with Fang Yu.
After about a quarter of an hour, Ji Congyong and Qian Wuzhang arrived at the site to console the afflicted commoners and inspect the situation. Seeing so many scholars volunteering to assist, Ji Congyong praised their noble character at length, commending them for upholding the dignified bearing of true scholars. Qian Wuzhang promptly followed suit, offering similar words of praise.
"Your Honor."
After looking around the area, and feeling rather tired from walking a few steps due to his portly frame, Qian Wuzhang was just thinking of finding a spot to sit down when he saw his advisor hurriedly approach.
Seeing this, he knew it was urgent. Glancing at Ji Congyong in the distance, who was intently reviewing the testimonies recorded by the scholars, he said, "What is it?"
The advisor leaned close and whispered in Qian Wuzhang's ear for a moment. After listening, Qian Wuzhang's face fell. "Clueless about priorities! Doesn't he know this official is busy with important matters! Tell him I won't see him. Tell him to get lost and go back."
"Your humble servant already tried to persuade him, but your brother-in-law insists it's urgent and must discuss it with Your Honor immediately."
Qian Wuzhang felt a vague sense of foreboding. "Where is he right now?"
"At the teahouse outside the relief site."
Qiu Wuzhang flicked his sleeve. "If the Assistant Prefect asks about me later, tell him this official felt unwell and went to relieve himself."
"Your humble servant understands. Don't worry, Your Honor."
Only then did Qian Wuzhang follow the servant's lead to the teahouse. The moment he entered the pre-booked private room, his brother-in-law thudded to his knees before him. "Your Honor! Your Honor! You must save this commoner!"
"Brother-in-law, what is this? Get up quickly."
The man not only didn't rise but knelt, clutching the hem of Qian Wuzhang's robe and weeping. "If Your Honor won't save this commoner, I dare not get up."
"Brother-in-law is being rather formal now," Qian Wuzhang said impatiently, tugging at his robe. Seeing this spectacle, he dropped the pleasantries and went straight to the point. "Enough with the act. Do you think this official hasn't cleaned up enough of your messes? Speak plainly, how many did you kill this time, and how did you do it?"
The man didn't dare answer.
Qian Wuzhang narrowed his eyes. "If Brother-in-law still won't speak, then this official can't help you either."
The man quickly said, "No, absolutely not! Brother-in-law, I'll talk, I'll talk!"
He lowered his voice, not daring to look at Qian Wuzhang's face. "A while back, I bought a large batch of grain at a very low price. The price was truly low, but the quality really wasn't very good either. But I kept remembering you saying you toss and turn sleeplessly on autumn nights, and that a golden pillow would surely let you sleep soundly. However, crafting such a pillow is quite costly. My own finances were also a bit tight. I thought if I could make a big profit, I could let you rest easy sooner."
"So, I took that batch of grain, processed it carefully, and resold it. It happened to coincide with city merchants selling grain, cloth, and candles at low prices to benefit the people. I raised the price of this grain a bit but still kept it lower than usual. Who would have thought it would sell so well... But... but I never expected those who bought the rice to have such weak constitutions, that they would all fall ill one by one..."
"I panicked for a moment and bribed a few commoners to pin it on the Qiao family, with whom I've always had some business friction. First, this provided a scapegoat. Second, I figured with you here... Who could have imagined, who could have imagined..." Saying this, the man began to wail. Seeing so many scholars today coming to record testimonies, even if he wanted to obstruct, it would be difficult. With the source of the illness on the verge of being exposed, he was so scared his legs felt weak. "Brother-in-law, you must save me! Whether for my sister's sake, or for all these years I've helped you with your worries and sent you little trinkets, you absolutely must save me!"
Qian Wuzhang was so angry he nearly fainted on the spot. Catching his breath, he immediately slapped the man hard across the face. "Why didn't you wait until you were thrown into the prison before telling me you did this! Mildewed grain! That stuff can kill! Have you lost your mind? Do you want to get yourself executed and drag me down with you?!"
One slap wasn't enough to vent his anger. Qian Wuzhang also kicked him several times fiercely. "Go see if the King of Heaven himself can save you! If you dare utter one more word saying you did this for this official, tomorrow you, your entire family, and your sister can all go die together!"
"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!" The man ignored the pain, tears and snot running together. "I absolutely won't say it was for you. It was entirely my own greed, I lost my head in a moment of madness! It was that damned country bumpkin who tricked me, saying mildewed grain washed and soaked in vinegar water, then dried and ground a bit finer, would be fine! This has nothing to do with me!"
Qian Wuzhang fixed the man with an icy glare, his eyes dark and threatening, as if a storm were gathering within them. "You fool!"
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