pappabearbooks Chapter 116 Squandered
Chapter 116 Squandered
The anger in Li Chong's eyes grew even more intense. After hearing Zhu Bingzhong's confession, even the yamen runners standing by were filled with righteous indignation.
He could humiliate a woman to death at will simply because he was angry, and then hastily bury her and dump her body in a mass grave.
How can human life be so cheap?
"Zhu Bingzhong, do you have any other crimes to confess to?"
Li Chong asked with a cold face.
Zhu Bingzhong's face turned pale, and he looked panicked: "I...I..."
Seeing the situation was turning sour, Zhu Binghe immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Honor, I am the criminal's elder brother, and I confess on his behalf!"
"Erlang!" Zhu Binghe turned around and glared at Zhu Bingzhong. "Why aren't you surrendering to the law yet!"
Zhu Bingzhong's safety is secondary; we can't let him get involved in anything else.
The Zhu family had been powerful and influential in Yanggu for many years, and this was not the only illegal thing they had done.
If they were all exposed, that would be a real disaster.
Reminded by his brother, Zhu Bingzhong suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "I confess my guilt, I accept the punishment, I admit to everything."
Li Chong glanced at Zhu Binghe and clenched his fist helplessly.
To punish Zhu Bingzhong, this one case alone is not enough, unless Li Chong is willing to sacrifice his future for this纨绔 (playboy).
Although Zhu Lan's situation is pitiful, the dead cannot be brought back to life, and Li Chong is ultimately a person of real life, unable to give his all for her.
With Zhu Binghe, who was well-versed in the internal affairs of the government office, it seemed impossible to uncover other cases while Zhu Binghe was wavering.
Li Chong sighed and looked at the clerk beside him: "Has everything been recorded clearly?"
"I have noted down everything the magistrate said."
Li Chong turned to the audience below: "Since that's the case, this county magistrate will now pronounce judgment..."
There's really nothing to pronounce a verdict on. Even though Li Chong has already imposed the maximum penalty according to the law, there's nothing he can do about Zhu Bingzhong.
At most, he would be given one hundred strokes of the cane. Given Zhu Bingzhong's status, those yamen runners would not be able to beat him to death. Even if Li Chong gave him a hint, the executioners would not actually do it.
The magistrate's term is only three years. Who would be willing to completely antagonize the Zhu family just because of Li Chong's words? Don't they want to live in Yanggu in the future?
Therefore, this time Zhu Bingzhong will suffer greatly, and it's impossible for him to pay with his life.
Li Chong could only compensate Zhu Li's family in other ways.
"...Are you satisfied with the judgment that you must pay the victim another fifty strings of cash?"
"Fifty strings of cash?" Zhu Bingzhong looked up abruptly. "That's too much..."
Upon meeting Li Chong's eyes, Zhu Bingzhong could no longer continue speaking.
Zhu Binghe quickly stepped forward: "The magistrate's judgment is extremely fair. We accept the punishment, we accept the punishment."
"In that case, court is adjourned!"
With a flick of his sleeve, Li Chong turned and went into the back hall.
Although he successfully made Zhu Bingzhong confess his guilt, Li Chong still felt a sense of pent-up resentment and kept thinking about who he could vent his anger on.
Li Chong casually picked up a teacup, held it high, paused for a moment, and then slowly put it down.
"Go and call Zhu Li and his family here."
Li Chong gave a deep instruction to Zhong Mei, who was approaching.
Zhong Mei's brows were originally full of fierceness, but seeing Li Chong's appearance, he couldn't help but feel a little worried.
After glancing at him a few times, Zhongmei obediently went out to call for help.
A short while later, Zhu Li and his family arrived in front of Li Chong.
Upon meeting, the entire family knelt before Li Chong, expressing their deepest gratitude.
Li Chong felt that he had not accomplished his mission completely and had failed to kill Zhu Bingzhong to atone for his crime, but in the eyes of his family, this was already extremely rare.
Not only did they find out the cause of their daughter's death, but they also punished Zhu Bingzhong with caning and secured an unimaginable astronomical sum of compensation for them.
This is practically a just and upright official!
After calming them down, Li Chong advised, "Once you receive the compensation, move out as soon as possible. I can protect you for a while, but not forever. Before the Zhu family is completely ruined, don't return to your old home."
"The Zhu family...has completely fallen?"
Zhu Li and his wife stared at Li Chong in shock. In their minds, could such a behemoth as the Zhu family really fall?
Li Chong didn't want this family, who had suffered so much, to know too much.
Afterwards, Li Chong had them taken away safely. Once they received the compensation, he told them to hurry back and move, as Zhu Family Village was not a place to stay for long.
After seeing the family off, Zhongmei turned back and looked at him worriedly: "Are you... alright?"
"It's nothing."
Li Chong shook his head: "Let's go back and think carefully about what to do next."
A cold glint flashed in Li Chong's eyes. He had made up his mind. Since he couldn't deal with the Zhu family through official channels, he would resort to some underhanded methods.
The world was in chaos, and popular uprisings broke out everywhere. It was not uncommon for families to be destroyed and entire clans to be wiped out.
The two returned to the back office, and Li Chong led Zhong Mei into his room: "Later, contact the people up the mountain and have your two uncles come down. I need to see them."
"What are you going to do?" Zhong Mei's eyes lit up.
Li Chong stopped in his tracks, looking ahead with a serious expression.
What are you doing here?
Cui Shi, who hadn't been back to the yamen for several days, stood awkwardly in front, his expression revealing a hint of ingratiation.
As far as Li Chong knew, since he was freed from his shackles and had money in his hands, this kid had been playing around without restraint.
In just a few days, he had become a regular at the brothel, and several scoundrels fawned over him every day.
He was enjoying himself so much that he didn't want to leave, so why would he want to go back to the government office?
Cui Shi stepped forward: "Young master, what are you saying? I am your close attendant, and I haven't paid my respects for many days. I just wanted to show my face today."
"Show your face?"
Li Chong sat down at the table with a cold smile, looked Cui Shi up and down, and thought that this kid never told the truth.
Cui Shi smiled apologetically and quickly stepped forward to pour Li Chong a cup of tea.
Li Chong asked, "You've been quite clever today. What do you need from me? Tell me, and I'll see if I can help you."
Cui Shi glanced at Zhong Mei with a troubled expression, then hesitated to speak.
Zhong Mei immediately understood; she didn't want her to hear it, and she didn't want to hear it either!
She gave Li Chong a wink, then bowed and said, "This servant takes her leave."
As Zhongmei left, Cui Shi's bent back straightened up considerably without her noticing.
"Well, Brother Li," Cui Shi said, clasping his hands as he approached Li Chong, "I'm a little short on cash these days, could you perhaps..."
Li Chong frowned: "Tight on money? I gave you several dozen strings of cash last time, and you've already squandered it all?"
Cui Shi had indeed made contributions, and Li Chong had many other matters to attend to, so to save trouble, he gave him a large reward all at once.
Unexpectedly, Cui Shi spent it all.
Cui Shi chuckled twice: "Isn't it because I have a lot of friends? Besides, you are now a proper county magistrate. A few dozen strings of cash is just a drop in the ocean. Why make such a fuss?"
"A drop in the ocean? That money could last an ordinary person for several years, and you spent it all in just a few days, and you say I'm making a fuss? You want more money? No way!"
Seeing Li Chong's resolute attitude, Cui Shi's face instantly turned ugly.