Chapter 1381: Chapter 1381: The Fierce Younger Generation

"Tsk tsk tsk, I didn’t realize Hukang County had such a clever person who would come up with this lousy idea. Isn’t he afraid those mistresses might cheat on him? That Manager Feng stays in Hukang County for years; how could those mistresses living elsewhere resist loneliness and not seize the chance to steal another man while he’s away?"

"Who knows, but surely Manager Feng isn’t that stupid. He must have left some servants to watch over those women."

The crowd kept chatting and soon started discussing how many mistresses and daughters Manager Feng actually had.

"How many households do you think Manager Feng has set up outside in the past twenty-some years, and how many daughters has he had?"

"Who knows, judging by his stamina for fathering children, he must have at least a hundred daughters."

"Ah, pfft, do you think Manager Feng is a mother rat, giving birth to over ten at a time?"

The gossip-loving citizens of He’an Prefecture’s capital gathered to listen to storytelling and ended up debating fiercely about how many mistresses and daughters Manager Feng actually had, almost breaking into a fight.

Someone posed a big question: "It’s impossible for Manager Feng’s mistresses to only bear daughters. So what is done with the sons? We’ve never heard of sons with uncertain maternal origins in Manager Feng’s family."

"Hehe, it’s not that hard to guess. Isn’t it said that to have beautiful daughters, he keeps good-looking prostitutes from Jiangnan? If a son is born handsome, surely he would be sent away. Immortal Lords are adored by many masters."

The crowd burst into laughter: "Yes, yes, yes, boys can become Immortal Lords!"

Apart from gossiping about Manager Feng, the crowd also discussed Judge Jia’s scandals.

Before Gu Jin’an and the others arrived at Tong’an Prefecture, Judge Jia’s reputation was already notorious throughout He’an Prefecture and had reached Linhe Prefecture.

...

In Tong’an Prefecture, which is three days away from He’an Prefecture, Magistrate Xi was warming himself by the fire and complaining: "Natural disasters are endless, and this year’s weather is unusually cold, with prices of everything rising. We are also supposed to provide the new soldiers with winter supplies. Truly, where’s the silver coming from?"

Magistrate Xi complained incessantly.

Really, how could he have the nerve to complain about that?

Tong’an Prefecture had copper mines, from which it derived its name, so there’s no way he didn’t have the silver to purchase winter supplies for the new soldiers. He was just stingy and unwilling to spend.

In the midst of his complaints, the sound of drumming reached him from afar. Magistrate Xi frowned and cursed: "What are they drumming for? It’s almost New Year, yet someone is filing complaints. Would it kill them to wait until after New Year?"

However, Magistrate Xi wasn’t too concerned, as adjudicating cases was Judge Jia’s responsibility unless the case was serious enough to require his attention.

But not long after, his confidant, Steward Su, rushed in, exclaiming to Magistrate Xi: "My lord, something terrible has happened!"

Magistrate Xi heard this, furrowed his brows, and glared angrily at Steward Su: "What are you yelling for, Stewart Su? It’s almost New Year, and such talk is inauspicious."

Steward Su replied: "My lord, if we don’t handle this properly, none of us will celebrate New Year!"

That serious?

Magistrate Xi straightened his expression and asked: "What’s going on? Hurry up and explain."

Steward Su immediately began to explain the matter.

Magistrate Xi listened, then leapt up, pointing at Steward Su in shock and asked: "What did you say? Gu Jin’an, the Small Three-Yuan Scholar from our Jianghuai, wants to file charges against Judge Jia?!"

Are today’s youngsters really that bold? A small-time scholar daring to accuse a fifth-rank official, and across prefectures no less!

Steward Su nodded: "My lord didn’t hear wrongly. It’s that Gu Jin’an who intends to accuse Judge Jia. He’s also accompanied by County Magistrate Fang from Tianfu County, Judge Tang from He’an Prefecture, and Young Master Dou from the Dou family. There’s also someone named Ah Song, a servant of Master Ouyang."

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Xi exclaimed: "Goodness! He brought so many helpers, no wonder he dares to accuse Judge Jia."

Magistrate Xi sat down, contemplating something, causing Steward Su to become anxious and say hastily: "My lord, don’t just sit there; quickly go out and take a look. According to criminal law, the accused is prohibited from hearing the trial. As you are Judge Jia’s superior, and the main official of the government office, you must preside over the trial and ensure justice."

Pfft, ensure a fair trial? He wished to avoid such a thankless task.

However, this was not up to him.

Soon, the constable Squad Leader rushed in, shouting: "My lord, my lord, something’s gone wrong! That Young Master Dou of Dou Ou Bank is causing trouble outside, yelling that my lord is shielding subordinates and deliberately delaying the trial! He’s even threatening that if my lord doesn’t go out and conduct the trial, he will file an Imperial Petition!"

"What?!" Magistrate Xi leapt up again, his handsome face contorting in anger: "That vile merchant from the Dou family, daring to ruin the reputation of this office, thinks he can disregard it simply because he earned some merit and a good reputation before Your Majesty?"

Steward Su was about to explode, urging: "My lord, that’s exactly the disposition of the Dou family; he dare affront even his own father and pulled Meng Imperial Censor down. We should meet him first and examine the case."

Don’t confront the Dou family head-on; he’s reckless. If mishandled, they’ll be tormented to their death by the Dou family!

Magistrate Xi knew he couldn’t avoid this. Judge Tang’s presence underscored the fact that Gu Jin’an has substantial evidence, leaving him no choice but to put on his official uniform and say: "Let’s go and have a look."

First observe, then hold the trial.

In the courtroom, Judge Jia was furious, wanting to drag the shouting Young Master Dou inside, but he was stopped by the Dou family’s Shadow Guards. Hoping to return to the back office to connect with Magistrate Xi was thwarted by Judge Tang.

That sly person, Tang, remarked with an earnest face: "Judge Jia, according to the Great Chu Criminal Law, you’ve been accused, and the accuser’s evidence is conclusive. You cannot leave at will. Come, sit down, don’t make my position difficult."

As they were equals in rank, Judge Jia couldn’t retaliate against Judge Tang and thus remained tethered.

Judge Jia, not being deaf, had overheard Young Master Dou’s revelation, already aware that his collusion with Manager Feng to conspire against the Gu Family’s wealth has been exposed. He immediately signaled his confidant housekeeper to hurry back and inform Hu Xueyao to persistently deny acquaintance with Manager Feng, claiming she belongs to a humble family from Jiangnan, with a father named Hu.

However, Young Master Dou was a shrewd individual with Shadow Guards by his side. As soon as Judge Jia’s housekeeper exited through the back office’s door, the Dou family’s Shadow Guards swiftly captured him into their carriage, preventing him from returning to report.

When Judge Jia realized something was awry, Magistrate Xi had already come out.

Young Master Dou, seeing Magistrate Xi, called out: "Lord Xi, you truly are busy with public affairs! At last emerging after such a significant case, with Judge Tang and Magistrate Fang waiting."

Though an official, Magistrate Xi was akin to a slick merchant, responding: "Young Master Dou, I indeed have been busy. Matters such as conscription and preparing winter gear for the new soldiers are crucial to the Kangrong War for Great Chu; I dare not delay. Been working tirelessly for days, hence my tardiness."

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