Chapter 426
Quite a few people knew that Fang Zichen had once worked at Zuixiao Restaurant, but that was years ago and no one really talked about it anymore. The servants asked around casually and then came back.
Wang Wenjie understood, but he didn't take it to heart. If Fang Zichen really cared about the Yang family, would the Yang family still be scraping by with just one restaurant? They would have gone with him long ago to live the good life.
Besides, the man was far away in Hezhou — who the hell was afraid of him?
Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants — when Wang Linchang heard that the person was just a merchant running a restaurant, even if he counted as a wealthy man in Fu'an Town, in his eyes the man was no more than an ant. So he didn't bother asking around any further.
When he first came to take up his post, someone in the capital had written to him: Yuanzhou was close to Hengyang, and the Qin family's stronghold was in Hengyang. He was told to tread carefully and absolutely avoid any conflict between the two prefectures. Wang Linchang naturally knew the Qin family was not to be trifled with. Outsiders all said the Qin family was good and never used their power to bully others — but outsiders only saw the surface; insiders knew the real story. Qin Hengxuan was, after all, the legitimate son of the Qin family, and he certainly had a temper. In his younger days, he had been a spoiled rich brat.
Back when Xia Jinghong returned to the capital from the border, Qin Hengxuan and Qin Hengyi wanted to go see him. They traveled simply, but as soon as they entered the capital, their carriage blocked the prefect's path, and the prefect bullied them a bit. The two brothers flew into a rage on the spot and ended up chasing the prefect until he lost one of his shoes. All because of a couple of words!
Was that really worth it? But the man was simply not someone to mess with. When the late emperor heard about it, he just laughed and said they were "two tiger cubs." Now the tiger cubs had come to the capital — if you didn't want a beating, you'd better watch your step!
The Qin family would not let him off.
Wang Linchang was terrified.
Offending the Qin family meant no one could offer protection. He had been so careful, never imagining that after dragging his feet for more than half a year, he would end up offending the very person he least wanted — and least dared — to provoke.
Wang Linchang kept begging for forgiveness.
"You're not a good person," Guaizai suddenly said. "If a child isn't raised right, it's the father's fault. You're not even a good person yourself — how can you be an official? Father says officials are supposed to serve the people, not use power to bully them. Whether you're an official or just an ordinary person, you should be strict with yourself and lenient with others. You mustn't steal, you mustn't rob, and you especially mustn't oppress ordinary people for no reason. Even Guaizai understands that. You're so old — how can you not? You want to marry my Uncle Yang? Not a chance!"
Qin family soldiers carried in several red chests and dumped them in front of Wang Linchang.
Wang Linchang's face turned red. He was about to say something, but Guaizai had already turned and walked away.
Wang Linchang wanted to chase after him and beg for mercy, but Zhang Quan drew his sword and blocked him.
"Lord Wang, halt."
Wang Linchang had the imperial censor at his back and held a third-rank post. Guaizai leading soldiers in a grand procession into the Wang residence was a slap not just to Wang Linchang's face, but to the imperial censor's as well.
Even a scholar who had one foot on the path to officialdom couldn't stand being beaten — let alone a high official like Wang Linchang. If Wang Linchang submitted a memorial to the capital, then in the past, even with Fang Zichen and Xia Jinghong protecting him, Guaizai would surely have faced punishment.
But things were different now.
Never mind the Qin family — just killing Lu Zhenghe alone was a great merit. Treason and colluding with the enemy was a capital offense. Moreover, Lu Zhenghe was a capable commander. The Chao Kingdom probably didn't fully trust him, so they hadn't let him lead troops alone — only had him follow Jiang Zhanying. Otherwise, allowing such a fierce general to defect to the enemy would have posed a grave threat to Great Xia, with nothing good to come of it.
Guaizai had stabbed him to death. If not for being too young and unreliable, such a merit might even have earned him a minor official post.
And there was still Old General Qin to consider. A single rank higher was enough to crush a man — let alone several ranks higher.
Otherwise, Zhang Quan wouldn't have dared let Guaizai do as he pleased. If he really caused trouble and went back to Hezhou, Fang Zichen would definitely give him a fierce punishment.
Outside, a crowd of curious onlookers had gathered. The Qin family soldiers poured out in a great surge, an imposing sight. Guaizai walked in the middle, with Wang Wenjie escorted at the rear by Qin soldiers.
People nearby whispered, not understanding what had happened.
"Who's that kid? How come he's so cocky even when the officials are here?"
To ordinary folk, officials were the most powerful of all.
"Officials? These are the Qin family soldiers! Would officials dare touch them? Even the imperial guards wouldn't dare go straight at them — let alone local officials. That kid in the middle, I heard he's the Qin family's great-grandson."
"What! That can't be. I heard the Qin family's eldest son's child was gone. This..."
"Don't know. Anyway, that's what I heard."
"That's incredible then!"
"You said it."
The Wu family's eldest daughter-in-law was mixed in the crowd and caught a few words. She was stunned. The words "the Qin family's great-grandson" echoed over and over in her mind, and her breathing grew heavy.
The Qin family — no wonder Wang Wenjie had been dragged out like a criminal while Wang Linchang didn't dare resist at all, didn't even dare fart. So it was the Qin family!
Seeing Guaizai about to mount his horse, she didn't have time to think. She hurriedly called out, "Guaizai."
Guaizai turned to look. The Wu family's eldest daughter-in-law came over smiling, very familiar, and took his hand: "Guaizai, do you still recognize me? I'm your Grandpa Wu's..."
"Don't know you," Guaizai cut her off.
"Guaizai, Auntie was wrong before. Auntie apologizes to you. I was so muddled back then. You've come all this way to Yuanzhou — it's a rare visit. Come home with Auntie and sit for a while, alright? Le Ger and the others all miss you!"
Guaizai said nothing. He directly pulled his hand back. The Wu family's eldest daughter-in-law wanted to say more, but the Qin soldiers barked at her to leave.
She didn't want to leave, but she didn't dare provoke the Qin soldiers.
The procession came in a hurry and left in a hurry.
The Wu family's eldest daughter-in-law watched Guaizai ride off, her eyes full of disappointment and regret. She blamed herself for being so short-sighted back then. She shouldn't have — she truly, absolutely shouldn't have!
If only they were still on good terms...
She didn't dare think about it. The more she thought, the more she regretted.
By now she was probably so full of regret her guts had turned black.
Wang Wenjie was taken to Fu'an Town, forced to apologize to Yang Mingyi, and then thrown out of the Yang residence.
People pointed and whispered all around. Wang Wenjie felt like he was dreaming, dazed and confused — but the waves of pain from his body constantly reminded him: this was not a dream.
His "lifelong reputation" was completely ruined. Completely ruined. Wang Wenjie wished he could die on the spot.
His servant helped him up. Wang Wenjie covered his face with his long sleeve, not daring to face anyone.
Guaizai only wanted to vent anger for Yang Mingyi. A beating was enough.
But Qin Liu, who had come along, reported back to Qin Hengxuan. Qin Hengxuan directly wrote to Xia Jinghong — he wanted Wang Linchang dismissed from office.
The crime didn't warrant it, but Qin Hengxuan could not tolerate sand in his eyes. Moreover, the Yang family had once been kind to Fang Zichen. Qin Hengxuan would certainly not let Wang Linchang off.
Civil officials were not like military officers. There were plenty of civil officials to go around. Lose one, and there were plenty more to fill his place.
Worried about getting a reputation for throwing his weight around, Qin Liu let the full story get out.
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