604 The Three Who Tried A Case (2/2)

At the gates of the scholar's mansion, Shangguan Yangyu felt very regretful when he found out that the wounded were from the Cui Family of Qinghe County. Had he found out earlier, he would have made up excuses such as he was gravely ill, or his mother had died. He would not have turned up and become stuck between the Families of Qinghe and Grand Secretary Zeng Jing.

The position as prefectural magistrate of Chang'an City was an important and difficult one. Shangguan Yangyu had managed to sit on the position securely for years and saved up plenty of taels of silver. He was extraordinarily sly and slippery. Just when it looked as if he could not extricate himself out of the situation, he began to quickly think of how to resolve the situation. First, he got his subordinates to help Cui Xiu into a horse carriage to seek treatment. Then, he went to ask the Grand Secretary some questions.

Just then, Zeng Jing happened to be sending Chen Pipi and Tang Xiaotang out. The two met outside the mansion. Shangguan Yangyu looked at the clean-shaven fatty, feeling a shiver going up his spine. He thought of how he had dealt with the handmaiden from Old Brush Pen Shop two years ago when she was charged with harboring a fugitive.

He used his illness as an excuse and knocked himself out with a rod before he could extricate himself from the situation. He had only discovered a long time after that that the handmaiden of Mr. Thirteen from the Academy was Grand Secretary Zeng Jing's long-lost daughter. It was the same fatty who had brought the handmaiden away before Zhuge Wuren and Wang Jinglue from the Imperial Center Administration that day in the Chang'an Local Government. The fatty was from the Academy...

Shangguan Yangyu felt extremely cold, and thought that he was very lucky to have come before he was involved in the situation. He first bowed to Grand Secretary Zeng Jing, and then turned to yell at his subordinate sharply, ”What are you all waiting for? Bring those villains back!”

The local government runner and constables were all stunned. When had their subordinate been so righteous? Even if the Grand Secretary was not to be offended, but the other party was the Cui Family of Qinghe county. Shangguan Yangyu had been so gentle to them earlier.

While they might despise Shanggan Yangyu secretly, there was no reason for them not to follow him. A local government runner went up to drag Cui Xiu off the horse carriage and prepared to cuff the man.

Cui Xiu was shocked speechless. The prefectural magistrate had been extremely kind earlier when he told him who he was. Why had he suddenly make such a complete turnaround?

Chen Pipi might seem simple, but he was intelligent and could read between the lines. He understood Shangguan Yangyu's intentions and nodded with satisfaction. He said, ” Lock them up. They're not allowed to be released until I return to Chang'an.”

Tang Xiaotang glanced at him. She thought to herself that Chen Pipi might not return until two or three years later. Was the Chang'an Local Government going to lock them up for two or three years then?

Cui Xiu realized then that he had encountered a true bigwig. He might be looking at a certain disciple of the Second floor of the Academy. However, he did not wish to be at a disadvantage, and he muttered, ”It's a misunderstanding, misunderstanding. I think Sir, you do not know that I am...”

Cui Xiu had thought that even if the person was from the Second floor of the Academy, he would not dare to shame the Families of Qinghe County, who had an illustrious history, when Cui Xiu told him who he was in front of so many people.

However, Chen Pipi did not even bother to hear what he had to say. Chen Pipi waved his hand and said, ”Youngest Brother once told me in a letter that Qinghe County is full of idiots. Do you think I'm interested in knowing who you are?”

Cui Xiu felt as if he had been struck in the chest. The pain in his leg multiplied and he paled.

Shangguan Yangyu stood beside Chen Pipi, touching his short mustache. He said awkwardly, ”The laws of the Tang Empire cannot be violated, how can the Academy be an exception? The Chang'an Local Government cannot lock up anyone as it pleases.”

Chen Pipi knew that the man was a smart one, but did not have time for games like this. He said, ”They have barged into private property and attempted to hurt an official of the imperial court. You can just find a law to lock them up. Don't tell me you don't know how.”

Shangguan Yangyu almost tugged his own mustache off. He smiled bitterly and said, ”If we continue down this path, we might find ten different crimes to charge them with. But which should we use?”

Chen Pipi asked, ”How severe are they?”

Shangguan Yangyu was a scoundrel and vulgar, but he did have a few talents. He said casually, ”Even a failed attempt at trying to murder a court official would result in beheading or exilement of at least 3000 miles. If we charge them with trespassing, the heaviest punishment would be imprisonment in the mines for 3 years. If we charge them with framing others...”

Chen Pipi's eyes brightened when he heard that they could be imprisoned in the mines for three years. He said, ”This is good.”

Shangguan Yangyu said resignedly, ”However, the Grand Secretary's mansion is not private property.”

Grand Secretary Zeng Jing who had been listening quietly looked at the pale Cui Xiu who was sitting beside the horse carriage. While he felt satisfied, he did not show it on his face. He suddenly asked, ”I have already resigned from my position in court. So this is definitely private property.”

Shangguan Yangyu's expression did not change, but his heart beat frantically. He thought to himself that the Grand Secretary was known for his simple living and warm character. However, who would have expected him to get a man into trouble with just a sentence. The man was indeed impressive. Shangguan Yangyu felt that he was not mean enough, and that he was too stereotypical and stiff in his own acts. If he wanted to climb into a higher position, he had a lot to learn a lot from these old officials.

Disregarding the prefectural magistrate's lack of impartiality, Cui Xiu knew when he heard them that anything the three said even casually would be sufficient to pin him with the nastiest of crimes. He could not help but turn even more pale. He knew that they would not really send him to the mines because of who he was, but his subordinates might not be able to escape this fate.