The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 19: Capture

Chapter 19: Capture

“Come on, kill me!”

The thought of Liu Xu hopping mad with rage made Xu Ying too delighted to sleep, her mind filled with plans for what to do after returning to the modern era. Over a dozen years had passed, and her previous life was sealed away in memories, growing increasingly hazy.

She wondered if the noodle shop near her old company was still open she suddenly missed its flavor intensely.

While lost in these thoughts, Xu Lang arrived and mentioned difficulties with music composition, reporting: “That Meng Jie from Taiping Alley harassed a maid serving He Yu, grandson of General He Chongguang, and was thrown into prison. I went to review the Record Book, which stated that Meng Jie violated the maid during a banquet at the He residence. Afterwards, the maid hanged herself in shame and anger. Since the girl was quite favored by He Yu, he filed a lawsuit immediately upon learning of the incident. However, Meng Jie refuses to confess, and the case remains unresolved to this day.”

Involving assault, Xu Ying’s expression shifted. She sat upright and asked gravely, “Why won’t Meng Jie confess? What is his account?”

“Meng Jie claims he offended He Yu by refusing to play the zither for him, thus bringing this misfortune upon himself. On the day of the banquet, a young attendant lured him to a secluded spot under the pretense that a noble requested another performance. He waited in the pavilion but no one came, then returned to the banquet to inform them before leaving on his own.”

“In this case, He Yu has a suicide note left by the deceased implicating Meng Jie, while Meng Jie lacks witnesses. Yet he steadfastly refuses to confess even under severe torture even Sun Zhuo, known in the prison as the Evil Spirit, failed to force a confession from him. It’s highly suspicious.”

Xu Ying’s ears perked up. Leaning forward, she asked, “Is this Sun Zhuo you speak of the one whose wife suffers from eye disease?”

The New History mentioned a villain named Sun Zhuo, who rose from being a cruel official ruthless, sinister, and violent, specializing in fabricating charges and deliberately creating wrongful convictions.

He was primarily active during Xu Long’s later years.

In his old age, Xu Long became credulous and biased, allowing many loyal officials to be tortured to death by Sun Zhuo. Eventually, Xu Long realized his error and, in remorse and fury, executed Sun Zhuo.

After death, Sun Zhuo’s grave was exhumed, his corpse whipped and exposed to the sun, denied eternal peace.

If she needed someone for such tasks, Sun Zhuo was an excellent choice both obedient and effective, while also earning her a reputation for trusting villains. It might even incite a public uprising within days.

“I’m unaware of that.” Xu Lang shook his head, then asked curiously, “Does Your Majesty know this person?”

“Just a name I happened to hear unsure if it’s the same individual.” Suppressing her unexpected delight for now, Xu Ying returned to Meng Jie’s case: “Order Zhou Jin to investigate thoroughly and locate the attendant Meng Jie mentioned to verify the truth. If they fail to uncover anything or investigate negligently, allowing injustice, they need not wear their official caps any longer.”

“Additionally, if it was assault, there must be evidence at the scene. Examine the maid’s corpse carefully, and don’t forget Meng Jie check if he bears any scratches or claw marks. We must neither wrong an innocent nor let the culprit roam free, leaving the deceased’s soul unrested.”

Xu Lang accepted the order: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

With Meng Jie’s case suddenly under the emperor’s scrutiny and officials facing dismissal if unresolved, Zhou Jin who usually just went through the motions had to take it seriously. He urgently warned the county magistrate, promptly replaced the previously negligent guards, and re-examined the victim’s body.

Previously hesitant to arrest due to He Chongguang’s influence, the magistrate now invoked the Empress’s authority under pressure and detained all involved servants. Before Sun Zhuo could even crack his whip, some terrified servants confessed that He Yu had masterminded everything.

It turned out that one day, He Yu had ordered Meng Jie to perform eighteen bawdy songs publicly to humiliate him. Unexpectedly, Meng Jie refused, which made He Yu bear a grudge and deliberately set up this trap for him. The maid had also been killed by He Yu’s own hand.

The case was straightforward, yet Zhou Jin wore an awkward expression as he cautiously revealed a detail of the case: “Although Meng Jie was indeed falsely accused, his insistence on not confessing was a pretense. He Yu bribed ahem secretly colluded with the jailers, giving Sun Zhuo two taels of silver to subject Meng Jie to severe torture.”

Xu Ying gasped in surprise. Zhou Jin unfolded the explanation: “When County Magistrate Li Ming interrogated Meng Jie, before he could even speak, Meng Jie insisted that he was the one responsible. Li Ming found many doubts in the case and, upon further investigation, discovered that Meng Jie, fearing the cane punishment, had confessed on the very day he entered the prison. However, He Yu, dissatisfied, conspired with the jailers and guards to publicly claim that Meng Jie had not confessed, thus prolonging the time for Sun Zhuo to torture him.”

After hearing this, Xu Ying was stunned. She lowered her head to flip through the Record Book, and her eyes caught Meng Jie’s identity information. The words “Son of Meng Ji” struck her abruptly, causing her to widen her eyes and spring up from her seat. Pointing at the Record Book, she asked Zhou Jin, “Meng Jie is Meng Ji’s son?”

Zhou Jin replied, “Your Majesty, indeed. Meng Jie was originally born to Meng Ji’s concubine and had his name recorded in the Meng clan just before the family was purged, which led to his exile to Taiping Lane in Youzhou.”

It seemed Meng Jie’s luck had not been good.

He might know some of the specific measures Meng Ji had proposed, and his identity as Meng Ji’s son could be leveraged.

Xu Ying paired Meng Jie’s name with Sun Zhuo’s she needed to find an opportunity to meet them.

She flipped further through the Record Book; the last page bore Zhou Jin’s elegant signature. It appeared Zhou Jin had done his utmost, with both witnesses and evidence complete; otherwise, he wouldn’t have had the resolve to sign it.

“Your Majesty, what about He Yu… how should he be sentenced?” Zhou Jin asked uneasily, lifting his head to gauge her expression.

Xu Ying set down the Record Book. She wasn’t a judge; how would she know how to determine the penalty? Adhering to the principle of “never reflect on yourself, just blame others,” she said, “As the governor of a province, you should be well-versed in the laws of Great Jin. Do you really need me to tell you? Or are the legal statutes just for show?”

Zhou Jin turned pale, sweat beading on his forehead, not daring to wipe it. He knelt with a thud, hurriedly uttering several affirmations, and declared resolutely, “Your servant will handle the case with absolute impartiality.”

After a pause, his eyes wandered hesitantly as he whispered, “Could Your Majesty issue an Arrest Edict? Otherwise, General He might…”

He was afraid of offending people.

Xu Ying saw through it and had no interest in prolonging the charade. Waving her hand for him to rise, she turned to Sun Wanyun. “Alright, Sun Wanyun, draft the edict.”

Sun Wanyun, standing nearby, froze, her heart leaping to her throat. She had never written an imperial decree or edict before and had no idea what to do, standing there momentarily at a loss.

Xu Ying, quite considerate of her temporary secretary, gave her direction: “Handwritten orders and edicts all have fixed formats. The collection is on the shelf by the north window. Go find it and use it as a template.”

Relieved, Sun Wanyun let out a soft sigh, quickly curtsied, and gratefully acknowledged the order before hurrying to the location Xu Ying had indicated.

She seemed to be drawing closer to Her Majesty.

As this thought sprouted, Sun Wanyun’s heartstrings stirred, and a greater longing surged into her chest.

While Sun Wanyun went to draft the edict, Xu Ying turned to Zhou Jin and said, “Since Meng Jie is innocent, release him immediately and have him come here quickly.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jin’s expression turned subtle. After a long pause, he hunched his back, his small beady eyes rolling slightly, and said in a faint voice, “Might I ask what purpose Your Majesty has in summoning Meng Jie?”

“Princess Huaiyang is composing music for military discipline and needs someone skilled in music to assist. It is said that within Youzhou, Meng Jie’s musical talent is unparalleled, so it is fitting to have him assist.”

Zhou Jin quietly let out a sigh of relief. He knew that Princess Huaiyang wanted to borrow Meng Jie, but he had been uncertain of the female emperor’s intentions earlier. Fortunately, he had asked one more question, almost misunderstanding and making a mistake. Bowing with a flattering smile, he said, “Your servant will immediately conclude this case.”

Clerks were not officials and had no rank; the government office itself could dismiss them. Xu Ying, afraid that Zhou Jin might not show favoritism and deal with Sun Zhuo as well, stopped him and said, “Also, regarding Sun Zhuo, who accepted bribes in this case…”

Zhou Jin, confident that he had already grasped the emperor’s heart, replied, “Your Majesty, rest assured. Your servant will immediately dismiss him from his post and throw him into prison, so he can never serve as an official or clerk again.”

The next moment, Xu Ying overruled him: “No, there is no need to dismiss him. Just confiscate the bribe money and impose a double fine. Have him come to Azure Wave Study to see me.”

Zhou Jin suddenly faced reality: perhaps he was inherently unfit for flattery and sycophancy, which was why he couldn’t see through the emperor’s thoughts. He resigned himself to it.

Sun Wanyun finished writing the decree and handed it to Zhou Jin. Zhou Jin bowed to Xu Ying, took the decree, and withdrew.

After leaving Azure Wave Study, Zhou Jin went straight to the government office. Upon receiving the decree brought back by Zhou Jin, the county magistrate finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that working under the emperor’s watchful eye was not easy; being a close minister was no simple task.

With Xu Ying’s decree, the bailiffs strode confidently into the He residence to arrest He Yu.

He Yu had caroused with his disreputable friends until the third watch last night and had fallen asleep after the rooster crowed. The noise woke him, and in his dazed state, he saw what appeared to be government soldiers. His sluggish mind turned, connecting it to Meng Jie’s case, and he asked, “What’s going on? Has the case been concluded?”

The bailiff replied, “Yes.”

Four bailiffs lifted He Yu.

Suddenly airborne, He Yu snapped awake and panicked, “What are you doing?”

The servant who had accompanied him in eating, drinking, and merrymaking wailed and threw himself forward: “Young Master, those scoundrels have betrayed you! The governor has obtained a decree from Her Majesty, and even General He cannot protect you. I only regret my lowly fate, unable to suffer in your place!”

The bailiff captain walked over to the servant with a list, glanced at it briefly, and said, “Stop shouting. You are an accomplice and will be taken to the yamen as well.”

The servant’s face turned fearful: “This was all forced by Young Master He! I tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. What could a servant like me do ”

A constable stepped forward, covered his mouth, and dragged him away forcefully.

Chaos broke out in the residence, and someone quick-footed ran to inform He Chongguang. Upon learning that his grandson had been arrested, He Chongguang flew into a rage, immediately went to the stable, untied a tether rope, mounted his horse, and rushed straight to Pingshui Street.

“Your Majesty, General He requests an audience.”

He was surely here for his precious grandson.

Without looking up, Xu Ying said, “I will not see him.”

As soon as the words were spoken, He Chongguang forced his way in, his voice deep and powerful: “Your Majesty, the men of my He family have been loyal and patriotic for generations, expanding territories and guarding the borders for the sovereign. Why must you now cut off the bloodline of the He clan?”

Niu Pengnan was now an imperial guard. He and a group of guards surrounded He Chongguang, shielding Xu Ying.

“Loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country?” Xu Ying set down the memorial and looked up at him coldly. “General, you barged in like a bandit. What kind of loyalty is this? What kind of love for the country?”

Seeing He Chongguang’s irrational demeanor, Xu Ying stood up, pressed down the arm of a guard drawing his sword, squeezed past them, and walked up to He Chongguang.

“Your grandson, He Yu, abuses favor and relies on influence, bullies the weak, drives maidservants to their deaths, frames the innocent as thieves, bribes officials, and corrupts the court. He is nothing but a shameless scoundrel, a cancer on society. Should we sacrifice justice for the sake of your He family alone?”

When it came to raising her voice, Xu Ying was unafraid. She glared at He Chongguang, turned around, and drew a guard’s sword, handing it to him. “If you want He Yu to be absolved of his crimes, then kill me. If I do not die, He Yu will never escape accountability!”

He Chongguang stood frozen, unable to react, as Xu Ying raised her voice even higher: “Come on, kill me!”

The guards grew alert.

The assassins hidden in the corner, tasked with protecting Xu Ying in secret, grew alert.

Author’s Note:

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided nutrient solutions between April 6, 2023, 20:22:04 and April 7, 2023, 23:49:31~

Special thanks to the little angels for their contributions: 123 is just 123 (10 bottles), Spring Breeze Never Sleeps (6 bottles), uu (2 bottles), Ming Shan (1 bottle).

Thank you all for your support. I will continue to work hard!