activa-t Chapter 113 Beating with a Board
Chapter 113 Beating with a Board
As soon as Li Chong spoke, the others below fell silent.
"You two are each sticking to your own version of events and can't reach an agreement, but there's one thing we need to confirm first," Li Chong said, staring intently at Zhu Bingzhong. "Is their daughter already deceased?"
Zhu Bingzhong didn't care at all: "That's right, he's already dead. I kindly ordered someone to take him out and bury him. By now, even if he wasn't dead then, he should have breathed his last."
Seeing his arrogance, the gloom in Li Chong's eyes deepened.
This is truly a case of not valuing human life at all.
Moreover, Li Chong was certain that Zhu Bingzhong genuinely felt that the death of one or two people was not a big deal.
This kid has always been arrogant, but when Li Chong was victorious in suppressing the bandits and taking advantage of the situation to bully others, this kid was very well-behaved.
Because he knew that colluding with bandits was a crime punishable by confiscation of his property.
But now, Zhu Bingzhong's relaxed answer, which even seems somewhat arrogant, clearly indicates that human life means nothing to him.
In Li Chong's mind, Zhu Bingzhong was even worse than those mountain bandits.
At least Li Chong could understand that those mountain bandits killed and committed evil for money, while people like Zhu Bingzhong were simply full of malice.
Before Li Chong could figure out what to do next, Zhu Bingzhong spoke up again.
"Your Excellency, I think there's no need for further investigation. All they want is money, right? I have plenty of money. I'll just give them some more, and that will be the end of it. It'll save everyone trouble."
"Snapped!"
Li Chong glared angrily: "Insolence! This is a courtroom. Am I the magistrate, or are you? Do you need to judge my case? Come on, how about I give you this position?"
Zhu Bingzhong was startled by Li Chong's sudden outburst and immediately fell silent.
Zhu Binghe, who was observing the proceedings, quickly stood up and said, "Your Honor, please calm down. My younger brother was disrespectful and offended you. I apologize on his behalf."
"He is him, and you are you. His mistakes are none of your business."
With a cold face, Li Chong tossed a stick from the bamboo tube in front of him: "This man is roaring in court, speaking arrogantly and shamelessly, clearly showing defiance towards this official. Guards, drag him away, find the truth, and give him ten strokes of the cane as a warning to others!"
This was the first time Li Chong had used torture instruments since taking office, and he had done so to someone like Zhu Bingzhong, which naturally made him feel quite pleased.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Bingzhong nearly jumped up: "When have I ever roared in court!"
Li Chong looked over with a cold smile: "Isn't this just roaring?"
Zhu Binghe stepped forward: "Your Excellency, please calm down. Considering my younger brother's youth and ignorance, please spare him this time."
Li Chong ignored Zhu Binghe and looked directly at the hesitant yamen runners.
"What? Is my word no longer valid, sir?"
Out of respect for Zhu Binghe and the influence of the Zhu family, Li Chong gave the order, but the constables still hesitated and dared not take action.
This new master is truly different from the others; he made sweeping changes right from the start, leaving everyone somewhat bewildered.
But there are always some wise people in the crowd.
Several quick-witted people stepped forward and, with a few quick hands, carried Zhu Bingzhong away.
Zhu Binghe tried to stop him, but he was so focused on reaching out that no one paid him any attention.
Before long, Zhu Bingzhong's shouts and curses outside the hall turned into wails.
"Ouch! Be gentle!"
The dull sound of the cane being struck, mixed with screams of agony, was almost unbearable to watch.
It didn't take long for Zhu Bingzhong to be carried back after ten strokes of the cane. This time, he could no longer stand there arrogantly and reply.
He lay face down on the ground, constantly groaning, and didn't dare to open his eyes.
Seeing his miserable state, the plaintiff's family was secretly delighted. Although they dared not laugh openly, the smile in their eyes was unmistakable.
Zhu Binghe squatted down to check on his younger brother, but was pushed away by him.
Zhu Bingzhong roared, "You're just going to watch me get beaten? I know, you just want them to beat me to death so no one will fight you for the inheritance, is that it!"
Zhu Binghe stumbled from the push, a cold glint flashing in his eyes before he looked on with concern and went over to inquire about her well-being.
"Enough!" Li Chong slammed his hand on the court table. "This is merely a minor punishment to serve as a warning. If they dare to offend again, they will be taught a lesson about the strictness of the law! Now, come and give us your answers!"
This time, finally no one interrupted.
Li Chong asked in a deep voice, "Zhu Bingzhong, let me ask you this: you said that his daughter Zhu Lan accidentally fell into the water and died, is that true?"
Zhu Bingzhong was still groaning to himself, seemingly oblivious to Li Chong's question.
The lottery box started moving again, and Li Chong said in a deep voice, "Come on..."
"Yes, it's true!" Zhu Bingzhong quickly replied.
Actually, his injuries weren't serious. Although Li Chong ordered that he be beaten as he was, the constables didn't dare to really use their methods on Zhu Bingzhong.
If something serious happens during the fight, Li Chong will be fine, but they will be in trouble.
So, despite the impressive display of force, Zhu Bingzhong's injury was merely superficial.
This was only because of Li Chong's influence; otherwise, after those ten strokes of the cane, Zhu Bingzhong might still be able to walk freely.
However, Zhu Bingzhong had been pampered since childhood and could not endure any hardship. When he felt pain, he harbored resentment and naturally went to Li Chong.
But when he saw that Li Chong was about to get serious, he chickened out faster than anyone else.
"Alright!" Li Chong nodded decisively. "You said she drowned, but there's no pond in your courtyard. How could a maidservant from the inner quarters have drowned?"
Zhu Bingzhong hesitated for a moment before replying, "She jumped into the well."
"Jumped into a well?" Li Chong asked with a sneer. "If someone died in a well, is the water from your wells still drinkable? This county will send someone to your house to check where you've been getting your water these past few days."
Zhu Bingzhong quickly corrected himself: "I remembered wrong, she ran outside and jumped into the river by herself."
"Which river? Where did you jump? And what time did you jump? Tell me the truth!"
Li Chong didn't give him time to think, and kept pressing him with questions. At this point, Zhu Bingzhong was sweating profusely.
"This, this..."
Just then, an old voice came from below the hall: "I have failed in my duty to educate my son, and I apologize to the magistrate. This boy has always been a spoiled brat, how would he know so much? He had the servants deal with everything, and he forgot everything he heard."
Zhu Bingzhong's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but turn around to look: "Father!"
Zhu Zhicheng stood below the hall, leaning on his cane, and looked up at Li Chong.
He first glared at his son, then slowly said to Li Chong, "Regarding the girl's cause of death, I have brought several witnesses. I request that Your Excellency inquire about them."
Li Chong frowned, but since they all said there were witnesses, he really couldn't refuse in front of so many people.
He was, after all, from the modern era, and he was determined to act within the rules, and he was also confident that Zhu Bingzhong could not possibly distort the truth.
After hesitating for a moment, Li Chong nodded: "Passport Certificate!"