CHAPTER 390: CHAPTER 390: THE LU FAMILY FALLS

Gu Jin’an completed the formalities and then said, "Lord County Magistrate, I have already brought Old Man Xue here. He is willing to testify and identify Old Master Lu as an escaped slave. You may ask him any questions you have now."

County Magistrate Xu, also desiring to earn credit, promptly summoned Old Man Xue and questioned him meticulously about the incident that happened years ago on the Linglong Painting Boat.

Unknown to all before, when questioned, it turns out that a disaster befell the Linglong Painting Boat because a life was lost on board.

Two noble young masters from noble families were vying for the Twelve Flower Fairies when Young Master Shangguan fell into the water by accident; though he was rescued, he did not survive.

The incident seemed accidental, but the deceased Young Master Shangguan was the legitimate son of the Jiangnan Shangguan Family, with an aunt who was a concubine to Prince Wuyang, thus making the family part of the royal relatives.

With the loss of the legitimate son, and considering the other noble young master, surnamed Zheng, also had significant status—his sister being a concubine in the palace expecting the emperor’s child—conflict that would result in mutual destruction with the Zheng family was impossible.

Furthermore, Young Master Zheng did not physically assault Young Master Shangguan; it was merely a rivalry that led to Shangguan’s accidental fall into the water.

The Shangguan family was deeply aggrieved and could only direct all their anger at Linglong Painting Boat, secretly investigating it for six months and finally obtaining incriminating evidence against the boat’s owner.

The evidence was submitted directly to the desk of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and not long after, the owners of the Linglong Painting Boat, the Twelve Flower Fairies, and many others connected to the boat, all faced calamity.

Forty years ago in Jiangnan, many died because of the Linglong Painting Boat incident.

Although times have changed today, the Shangguan family still stands strong, and the son born by the concubine has succeeded to his title and become Prince Wuyang.

The current head of the family holds great respect for his late legitimate brother, continuing to worship his prematurely deceased elder brother annually.

County Magistrate Xu, eager for advancement, faced with such an opportunity to curry favor with the powerful, felt he couldn’t let it go.

Moreover, Great Chu takes cases of escaped slaves very seriously, and successfully resolving one would certainly earn him merit.

Having envisioned an endless stream of merits coming his way after hearing Old Man Xue’s statement, County Magistrate Xu immediately ordered Xue to sign the statement.

Master Tian, who had recorded everything Old Man Xue mentioned, now handed the testament to Xue.

Old Man Xue, thinking of Brother Shou and not wanting to stay out too long, quickly pressed his handprint on the document and said to County Magistrate Xu, "Lord County Magistrate, that Old Master Lu is very cunning and also the father-in-law of the County Governor; you should quickly send the government officers to arrest him, lest the County Governor finds out and protects his father-in-law."

County Magistrate Xu, having served in Tianfu County for many years and suffered under County Magistrate Zou—who held sway locally—harbored considerable dissatisfaction. He had previously endured it to avoid conflict with this local ’snake,’ fearing he might not survive his term.

Now about to be promoted and having secured his standing in front of the Magistrate, he feared no more. Hearing this, his expression darkened, and he scoffed coldly, "Old Man Xue need not worry. What importance does County Magistrate Zou hold? If he dares to interfere with the government officers handling the case, I will file a report and strip him of his position as County Magistrate!"

Master Tian also chuckled from the side and said, "Old man, rest assured, County Magistrate Zou is too busy sorting out his own mess to have time to deal with Old Master Lu, this fake father-in-law."

What father-in-law?

A concubine’s father, being considered a father-in-law? That truly disgraces the face of us scholars!

County Magistrate Xu did not delay, and before dawn could break, he immediately ordered Squad Leader Yang: "Go to Qingfu Town at once, and capture all members of the Lu family."

He then turned to County Captain Jiang: "Brother Jiang, go to the Lu residence in the county, and capture both households of Lu Laoda and Lu Laoer. If Old Master Lu is a fugitive slave, as his children, they too belong to the slave class."

Since ancient times, children born of slaves have been slaves themselves.

"Yes!"

Squad Leader Yang and County Captain Jiang left to carry out their orders.

...

In the Lu Family of Da Feng Village, Old Master Lu has been living quite comfortably recently, all thanks to Mrs. Zou’s household being defeated.

Now, in the room of Lu Laosan, while sipping on some wine, he said to Lu Laosan, "San, your sister has already brought down Mrs. Zou’s household. From now on, the Zou family will belong to Brother Zhen’er. I have already sent a letter to your sister, asking Brother Zhen’er to plead with County Governor Zou to send someone to the Capital to fetch an Imperial Physician for you."

"Although it’s a difficult task, who else does County Governor Zou have but our Brother Zhen’er? If that old dog doesn’t pamper our Brother Zhen’er, who can he rely on in the future?"

Old Master Lu was flush with triumph, floating on cloud nine after just two drinks.

Knowing that his own sister had overcome Mrs. Zou, Lu Laosan was thrilled beyond measure, his lips twisted as he struggled to say, "Escape... famine... Don’t, don’t let... After a few days... No, tomorrow... Find Niu Zi... Go, kill... them... If the women are beautiful... keep them... for use..."

Lu Laosan, paralyzed, was still fixated on harming Gu Jinli and her family. Recently, having lain in bed and having heard much from the servants, he realized that Mo Chunyue of the Mo family was nothing; the best-looking among those who fled the famine was Gu Dashan’s eldest daughter.

But Gu Dashan’s family was too cunning, hiding their eldest daughter too well. When he had gone to their home to steal the recipe, the girl had also hidden herself, and he had not seen her. If he had, by now she would already be a concubine of the Lu family.

Lu Laosan deeply regretted this, now that he was paralyzed and unable to do anything. But as long as he could harm those families, even if he couldn’t do anything else, he would still snatch those families’ daughters.

"San, rest assured, tomorrow I will find Zhang Niu Zi to give those families a good beating," Old Master Lu also deeply resented the Qin, Gu, Luo, and Tian families, feeling that any bad luck befalling his family was their doing: "Do they think by clinging to the Lord County Captain and getting on good terms with the Lord County Magistrate that they can rest easy? They should know that even the Lord County Magistrate fears the local bullies."

The fact that the Lord County Magistrate gifted plaques to the Qin, Gu, Luo, and Tian families greatly irritated Old Master Lu. When he learned of it, he cursed those families from the direction of his village.

That same night, he even had Shuan Da’s wife set up an incense altar to specifically curse those families, hoping the incense would poison someone, that all those families would get caught, the men executed by waist-chopping, and the women conscripted as army supply workers.

Old Master Lu, while drinking, discussed with Lu Laosan the plans for Zhang Niu Zi to punish those families. They talked until the moon was high in the sky, and only then did he return to his room to sleep.

As Old Master Lu had just fallen asleep, he suddenly heard violent banging on the door.

Bang bang bang!

Old Master Lu instantly awoke, draped a robe over himself, walked out of his room, and stood in the courtyard shouting, "Shuan Da, Shuan Da, what’s the matter? Who dares to..."

Before he could finish, Luo Wu led a group of Government Officials bursting into Old Master Lu’s courtyard, pointing at Old Master Lu, he commanded: "Tie up Lu Zhudan!"