Hidden in the court

Chapter 141 If you don't get the money, you will die

"If I hadn't cared about the girl's face, I would have interrogated you eight hundred times! Kidnapping is kidnapping, and you put it in such a nice way. You are a son-less bastard, who would be in love with you?"

Obviously, compared with Zhou Boxian's words and his current state, Ji's words are obviously more convincing.

The words were spoken very bluntly. As the people from the Tan family listened, their faces became more and more angry, not to mention the people from the Zhou family, whose faces were even uglier.

At this moment, Zhou Hai spoke up. He ignored Ji Mingshang and pleaded with Han Heng, "Yugui, this is my fault as a rebellious son, and I am too ashamed to face your father. He made such a mistake and he should apologize to you. But after all, he is my son, and as a father, I don't want him to get into trouble. I beg you, uncle, can we reconcile? Then I will bring this rebellious son to your house to apologize in person..."

Zhou Hai's words were very soft, but in Ji Mingshang's opinion, they were somewhat like moral kidnapping. Besides, the person had no memory after fainting, so who knew if your son had any bad intentions?

He really had no other options. According to the law, in this case where there were no major casualties, the two sides could indeed reconcile. Although he had not had much contact with Tan Heng, judging from her current behavior and attitude, she would most likely let Zhou Boxian go.

"Tan Heng, are you likely to accept reconciliation?"

Sure enough, without much thought, Tan Heng agreed.

"Then let's talk about the terms of reconciliation."

Yes, reconciliation also requires conditions. The conditions set by the government for reconciliation must be fulfilled by both parties, which is also stipulated by law.

Seeing this, Zhou Hai spoke sincerely: "Within five days, bring this rebellious son to Qing'an City to apologize in person, find a doctor for my nephew, and pay an additional 100 taels of silver. My dear nephew, do you think this is okay?"

Just when Tan Heng was about to agree, Ji Mingshang became anxious.

"You are such a jerk, Zhou Hai. Aren't you bullying an honest person? Your son kidnapped her because of evil thoughts, and you want him to apologize and that's it? What about the girl's reputation? How can she face people in the future?"

"Your Majesty is right. I didn't think it through. Let's put it this way. If this matter is widely spread, it will also be detrimental to my nephew's reputation. I will mobilize the power of the entire Zhou family and will definitely block the news in the entire Lujiang, ensuring that no one except the Zhou and Tan families will know about this."

Seeing this, Ji Mingshang knew that it would be impossible to punish the entire Zhou family just for the small mistake made by Zhou Boxian.

"Okay, that's about it. Then this matter is settled. There's no need to find a doctor. Her injuries will heal in two days. Within five days, you must come to apologize and give me 100 taels of gold. This matter will be treated as if it never happened. No news can be heard about it."

“We will do our best to complete it.”

"Snapped!"

Ji Mingshang slammed the gavel, "The case is solved, both parties have reached a settlement, signed and sealed."

Just when everyone was relieved, Ji Mingshang smiled again, "Someone bring Lujiang Shouzheng up!"

"really……"

As expected, Zhou Hai closed his eyes. This person was none other than the uncle who ordered the city gate to be opened for Zhou Boxian that night.

"Zhou Zhixian, as the magistrate of Lujiang, you must be familiar with the laws of our dynasty. Tell me, what is the crime of opening the city gate privately?"

Zhou Hai naturally knew the guilt of opening the city gate without permission, but as the head of the Zhou family, he couldn't sit idly by with so many people from the Zhou family present, otherwise the family would fall apart, so he gritted his teeth and said, "My Lord, there are reasons for this, and this matter was deceived by my rebellious son..."

"Cheat? Everyone present clearly heard that Zhou Boxian left the city that day because he wanted to go home. I want to ask, is it because the inns in the city are not available? A young man wants to go home, and he dares to open the city gate. Does that mean that when the enemy is at the gate and your Zhou family is calling for the door, you have to open the door?"

This accusation was too big, and it made the Zhou family feel a little suffocated for a while, but on second thought, this matter was actually not a big deal. If explained properly, it would at most be a crime of killing a fellow Taoist but not the poor Taoist.

"My Lord, according to the regulations of our dynasty, those who privately open the city gates during non-wartime, unless there are serious consequences, will be punished with fifty strokes of the cane, dismissed from their posts, and widely publicized as a warning to others. In addition, all local officials of high rank will be fined one month's salary."

Everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It was only a one-month salary fine. The Zhou family really didn't care about the three flowers and two dates given by the court. It was just that the main criminal was punished with fifty strokes of the cane, which was easy for someone to die. Even though we were all relatives, it was better to die with a friend than with a poor Taoist. At most, I can give you a more glamorous funeral.

"Oh, in that case, I'll give him fifty lashes first."

The man was pressed on a bench, his pants were stripped off, and the yamen runners on both sides started beating him immediately.

"Clap clap-"

The screams were endless.

No one knew if it was because of Ji Mingshang’s tyranny or because of some private grudge, but everyone felt that the beating was particularly powerful.

This was indeed the case. After only twenty hits, blood and flesh were already flying all over his buttocks.

The two yamen runners were not feeling well either, but they were willing to work hard. It was a hot summer day, and the room was crowded. It was hot and there were so many people that one of them was sweating profusely after only 10 swings of the stick.

The most important thing is that the person being punished has fainted.

"Stop, stop for a moment. Can't you see that he has fainted? You two should also go down and take a rest. Go down and wake him up. The others should also adjourn. We will take a rest and be back soon."

After saying that, Ji Mingshang stood up and walked towards the back hall. Before leaving, he gave Zhou Hai a look, and Zhou Hai understood and followed him quietly.

Coming to the back hall, Ji Mingshang drank a sip of tea.

"Sir Zhou, it's not that I don't want to help you, I won't pursue your son's matter. But opening the city gate privately is a serious crime after all, and it's difficult to escape the responsibility. I hope you can understand."

Zhou Hai just listened to this kind of talk, but secretly complained in his heart. If there is really no room for negotiation, why did you ask me to come to the back hall?

"Yes, yes, Jiang Ning Hou is impartial in enforcing the law and has a deep understanding of justice. I really admire him. But as the head of a family, I have some difficulties. If my cousin really receives fifty strokes of the cane, he will be half dead if he doesn't die. I hope Jiang Ning Hou can let my cousin go!"

"Ah this..."

Ji Mingshang pretended to be embarrassed, but he actually put his index finger and middle finger together, placed his thumb on them, and rubbed them lightly.

"The law cannot be violated. You are putting me in a difficult position..."

Zhou Hai naturally noticed his little action and laughed in his heart. This Ji Mingshang was indeed not a good guy. Thinking about the relationship between Ji Mingshang and King Jin, it seemed that spending some money was not a big deal.

"Marquis Jiangning, don't worry. My Zhou family is willing to pay a thousand taels of silver. No, five thousand taels. I only ask that Marquis Jiangning can spare my cousin's life."