The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 306 Bloodshed
What does it mean to "arrest if he should be arrested, kill if he should be killed"?

Prefect Chen was terrified.

Of the four great families of Jinling, the Jia family appears to be the most powerful, but since he joined the company, the Wang family has been the dominant force.

Meanwhile, in the capital, the Wang and Jia families had long since fallen out.

The six Japanese men in the side cell were all protected by the Wang family.

Is the Jia family about to take action against the Wang family again?

"Tell me quickly, what did you see today, and why did Madam Shen say such things?"

There's a high chance the Jia family will target the Wang family again!

In addition, they believed that all Japanese people were bad people.

Prefect Chen felt he was in trouble.

He couldn't afford to offend either the Wang family or the Ningguo Mansion.

The Ningguo Mansion vented their anger on the Japanese and then left. As long as they didn't really bring the Wang family down, the Jia family members in Jinling would all plead for them.

He'll be the one who suffers then.

No, we need to come up with a foolproof plan.

As Prefect Chen's mind raced, he listened to his wife recount the day's events from the beginning.

"...That's just the way it is."

After a while, Madam Chen finished telling the whole story, but she was still shaken. "The ninth and tenth branches of the Jia family are finished. Madam Shen has probably been investigating this matter for a long time, otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to block them at every turn."

This?
Prefect Chen's face turned pale instantly.

"Someone come quick..." he shouted, "Go to the prison and tell the warden, Li Mu, to immediately withdraw all the preferential treatment given to Ito and the others."

If they can thoroughly investigate their own home, why can't they investigate the entire city of Nanjing?
Jia Jing was essentially forced to his death by the Japanese, and Madam Shen herself was also assassinated by the Japanese several times.

Neither she nor Jia Zhen could forgive those people.

Knowing this, he endured immense pressure to imprison Ito Rui and his associates.

Prefect Chen had a clear plan: he would release the people from Ningguo Prefecture once they returned to the capital.

After all, they are legitimate businessmen.

But now...

"Master, if we retreat, won't they cause a huge uproar?"

Having just received another sum of money from the Wang family, the steward, who had rushed over to deliver the good news, hesitated upon hearing this, "And what about Master Wang..."

"Yes, and Wang Zipeng too!"

Prefect Chen couldn't help but pace around, "By the way, you should also hurry up and go to the Wang family and tell them that the hatred of killing one's husband and father is irreconcilable. Madam Shen and Jia Zhen are probably already investigating those Japanese. Tell them to clean up the mess as soon as possible."

The head of the Xue family is now living in someone else's house.

"……Yes!"

The steward finally started to panic and was about to say he would go right away when a servant came running in frantically, “Master, something terrible has happened! Lord Jia from Ningguo Mansion has brought a lot of soldiers and is demanding to see you.”

what?
Prefect Chen stumbled, "It's over."

No, you can't sit still.

Waiting means certain death.

"Quickly, send someone to find Li Mu and accept all the preferential treatment from the Japanese. Then send someone to find Wang Zipeng. Go now!"

After the servants ran off quickly, he hurriedly straightened his clothes and said, "Come with me to see Jia Zhen!"

God help him buy some time.

In any case, let's get things sorted out in prison first and get him out of jail.

……

Although Ito Rui was imprisoned in the Jinling Prefecture prison, he lived a very leisurely life.

The Wang family was very respectful, and the managers of the Xue family were also very courteous.

With both families around, the prison was like an inn to him. Not only did he bring his own bedding from home, but he could also order whatever he wanted from the jailer, who was disguised as a waiter, because the Wang family had made arrangements.

Over the course of several days, food boxes were delivered to various restaurants in Jinling City.

The only downside is the lack of freedom.

Prefect Chen of Jinling was a coward.

They don't even know that a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake.

He is a legitimate businessman.

With the Xue and Wang families vouching for him, if Prefect Chen had been more assertive, he wouldn't have ended up in this prison.

hum~
Ito Rui was very angry. He felt he could talk to the Wang family and try to find a way to replace the prefect.

"Ito-kun!"

Matsumoto Shuhei, who was benefiting from his position next door, took out a Go set that the jailer had given him and said, "The days are long, how about we play a game of Go?"

"please!"

After bowing and gesturing for him to sit down, Ito Rui sat down by the wooden railing where they usually played chess. "Matsumoto-kun, the Jia family has been so humiliating us. Don't you think we should complain to Ishii and Lord Nakamura?"

"nature!"

Matsumoto Shuhei gently placed a white piece down. "When Prison Chief Li comes over in a bit, he'll ask for a pen and ink, and we'll sign together."

At this time, their delegation should have arrived in the capital with the delegation from the Russian Kingdom.

"And as for the Wang and Xue families, see if they can find a powerful censor to file a complaint against the Ningguo Prefecture as well."

"I'm afraid the Xue family won't make it!"

As Ito Rui made his move, he sighed, “The Xue family’s direct line now lives in the Rongguo Mansion, and ever since the Second Master and the Second Madam of the Wang family fell, the Rongguo Mansion has always followed the lead of the Ningguo Mansion.”

"...Even now, doesn't the Wang family know to make an effort to suppress the Jia family?"

Matsumoto Shuhei was somewhat puzzled. "How come I heard that among the four major families here, the Wang family is the most powerful?"

"The Wang family was indeed the most powerful in the past."

Ito Rui said, "One of the two aunts married into the main branch of the Jia family, and the other married into the main branch of the Xue family. With the two of them around, the Wang family naturally rose in status. But starting last year, the Shen family of Ningguo Mansion began to suppress the Wang family's influence within the Jia family, and then she won."

To make matters worse, some of their men on this side attempted to assassinate her several times, but all their attempts failed.

"Ah~"

As Matsumoto Shuhei placed his piece, he sighed, "I've heard that in Xuzhou, no one has come to collect the bodies of our fallen comrades."

"..."

Ito Rui remained silent.

When he first heard about it, he considered spending a lot of money to hire someone to help collect the body.

Unfortunately, neither the Wang family nor the Xue family agreed, even though he offered many concessions.

All the government offices along the canal were terrified of the Jia family's power.

"We still need to think of a solution for Da Zhao."

Matsumoto Shuhei whispered, "I heard that it was Lord Kaneda Shoji who was making the move over there."

"...This is difficult! The emperor of Dazhao is currently in the stage of making a big splash as a new official."

Ito Rui said, "Now we can only rely on the officials on the mission. As long as they step in, the Great Zhao will at least give us some face."

He had barely finished speaking when he heard hurried footsteps approaching.

The jailer, Li Mu, was covered in sweat. "Quick, quick, pack up the things. The Ningguo Prefecture is coming to inspect us soon."

what?
Ito Rui and the others were still somewhat confused.

This is Jinling Prefecture; the Jia family of Ningguo Prefecture are merely passing through, escorting the coffin back to their hometown.

According to the laws of the Great Zhao Dynasty, the entire family is in a state of mourning.

What right do they have to inspect the prison in Jinling Prefecture?

Hey, don't just stand there.

Li Mu was extremely anxious.

But the more anxious he became, the harder it was to open the prison door.

"Hurry up, collect what needs to be collected. I'll bring it back to you gentlemen after the inspection."

"Li Sang, I want to see Master Wang Zipeng."

Ito Rui did not get up, and Matsumoto Shuhei did not put away his pieces either. Both of them looked at Li Mu with anger in their eyes.

They have lived in Jinling City for many years, and their annual tributes to their superiors and subordinates are not small. Now, the Jia family is going too far to take their anger out on the entire Japanese people because of the actions of a few individuals.

Based on this alone, one could find a stubborn censor to file a complaint with the Emperor of Dazhao.

"Oops~"

Li Mu stamped his foot in frustration. At this moment, he finally opened the prison door. "It's too late to find anyone now. Don't even mention Master Wang. Even the direct descendants of the Wang family have been kicked out of the Jia family by that Madam Shen."

Who does Wang Zipeng think he is?

"Quick, quick, brothers, help me out! I'll treat you all to drinks later!" Li Mu shouted urgently to his two colleagues who were running over, while rolling up their bedding and teapot.

He went home for a while, who knew such a big thing would happen?

But the two people who just came in had expressions that were no longer the same as before.

"Li Mu, how dare you!"

The constable who had spoken stepped over, took the chain in his hand, and put it over the man's head. "You've taken a lot of money from them, haven't you?"

Before he finished speaking, the sound of synchronized footsteps came from outside.

But Jia Zhen himself arrived.

"Lord Chen, with a little more money, this prison cell could be turned into an inn."

Jia Zhen looked coldly at Lord Chen, who was covered in sweat.

“…You, Li Mu, are something else.”

Even Prefect Chen had no idea how he handled things.

They all told him to come and clean up the mess quickly; it's been so long and it's still like this.

This is seeking death!
"Men, seize him and give him thirty lashes first."

"Master Chen..."

Seeing Li Mu suddenly collapse to the ground, Ito Rui couldn't help but call out to him, "I'll wait..."

"You have committed a crime, and the evidence is conclusive."

Prefect Chen's expression grew even colder. "Guards, put him in shackles and bring him to court."

He didn't expect that Jia Zhen would actually undermine the family's resources by having the Xue family sue all the managers.

Ito Mizuki is finished.

As for Matsumoto Shuhei and his ilk, none of them have clean hands.

They either kidnapped men's wives and daughters, or used Ito Rui's connections to get involved with the Wang family and engage in forced buying and selling.

Especially those three shops on Gulou Street, whose original owner's wife hanged herself and whose son had his leg broken. Now, with Jia Zhen backing them up, they've not only sued Matsumoto Hidehira and his ilk, but also Wang Zipeng.

This matter can no longer be suppressed.

Prefect Chen now only hopes that Wang Zipeng and these Japanese can be smart and take responsibility for what they should, otherwise... not to mention him as prefect, even the four major families in Jinling City will be wiped out by Jia Zhen.

You should know that Madam Shen of the Ningguo Mansion is not afraid of massacring her entire family.

If they can wipe out an entire family, what chance do they have against other families?
They've really gone head-to-head with all the Japanese!

Otherwise, Jia Zhen couldn't have found out so much in just a few days.

At this moment, Prefect Chen couldn't help but take another look at Xing'er.

This guy, who was only sent by Jia Zhen last year to buy sacrificial land, has never been made difficult by him!

The government has given him all the conveniences it could; the ones who are really making things difficult for him are actually the Jia family members themselves!

Just as Prefect Chen was inwardly lamenting his predicament, Wang Zipeng was being summoned over by the yamen runners.

That's a real invitation.

They came by car.

On the contrary, the yamen runners cleared a path for him.

As the Wang family's representative in Nanjing, Wang Zipeng is quite capable.

He never expected that someone from the Xue family would dare to betray him.

I was pressing it just fine before.

The second branch of the Xue family had no choice but to leave for another place.

now……

When he got off the bus, Wang Zipeng straightened his clothes and walked in with his head held high.

……

Tianjin Wei Wharf.

The Rakshasa Kingdom delegation, still unable to reach the shore, was nearly driven mad.

Vice Chancellor Bazel Ackerman and General Iris Roberts had no water to wash up.

The mission members were shouting on the deck, but the hateful soldiers on the dock were completely unmoved.

The translator rowed over in his small boat time and time again, even giving away a lot of silver coins, but all he got was the news that the Japanese delegation had ties with certain Japanese pirates and that a few days ago they assassinated a first-rank imperial lady and a first-class general of the Great Zhao Dynasty in Xuzhou Prefecture.

The case is still under trial, and officials on the Dazhao side suspect that both the Japanese delegation and the Dazhao officials supported the assassination attempt.

лжец (liar).

Vice Minister Bazel Ackerman was furious.

I told you that nothing good would come from those bastards coming over.

I definitely got scammed.

"If all else fails, let's go check out the Japanese delegation's ship!"

Iris Roberts was at her wit's end.

Even if they don't wash up and try to conserve water, they won't last three days.

There's food too...

Even if you only eat half a full meal each day, you still can't last three days.

"May I?"

Bazel Ackerman glanced at the cannons and muskets that were constantly staring at them.

"How will you know if you don't try?"

In short, we can't just wait to die here.

"Alright, tell everyone to be careful."

The small boat on this side started moving again.

But Japanese ships were right on the shore.

How could they get on the ship without being detected by Commander Chen?

bang~
He fired a shot just before the Russians tried to board the ship as a warning.

He had already seen the current situation of the Rakshasa delegation through his telescope.

We haven't reached the end of our rope yet.

He stayed here day and night, determined to drive them to the brink of despair, until they were crying, begging, and pleading with him.

In short, now that this ship has come to his side, it's not going anywhere.

Unable to go to the front lines to earn merit, here...

Although he wasn't the negotiating official, when everyone in the Beijing garrison was learning military strategy from Jia Jing, the first thing Chen Shoubei remembered was that war is about deception.

Negotiation is the ultimate art of war.

Although he wasn't the negotiator, as Jin Muchuan said, he was the vanguard of this negotiation.

Thump thump~~
When the two Russians, still unwilling to give up, tried to climb onto the boat, Commander Chen waved his hand, and two of his personal guards fired their guns simultaneously.

Moreover, the artillery was quickly put in place.

The Rakshasa people were furious and started yelling incoherently.

But Commander Chen remained unmoved.

He doesn't need to understand their language.

Their translators will behave themselves.

In short, until the emperor issues an edict and there is any news from the capital, these people are just a dish on his table.

……

In Jinling, at Ningguo Mansion, Shen Ning was listening to Xing'er's report that Ito Rui and his associates had each been given thirty strokes of the cane and were now being paraded in shackles at the yamen gate.

"How is Wang Zipeng now?"

This person is the Wang family's money bag, the one keeping a close eye on the Xue family.

Aunt Xue probably knew this too, which is why, after arriving in the capital, she refused to return to the Wang family and clung to the Jia family.

"He has been taken into custody."

Xing'er said, "Madam, the Wang family will definitely protect him."

"Save?"

Shen Ning sneered, "Tell your grandpas who's protecting her, and we'll investigate whoever does."

She wanted to see who dared to vouch for her.

"Remember, don't be so harsh right away, give us some hope..."

As she spoke, Shen Ning glanced at the sunset that had dyed half the sky red, and said in a calm voice, "This Jinling City—it's time to see some blood."