The Red Mansion

Chapter 302 Turbulent Waves Rise into the Sky, Floodwaters Rush Forth

A torrential rainstorm hit yesterday evening and lasted for an hour before stopping, and then continued to drizzle throughout the night.

By the time the sun was setting, the sky was overcast and dark clouds loomed overhead, as if to shroud everything in darkness. Suddenly, large raindrops began to pelt down, turning into a torrential downpour.

At this moment, Yuan Yi was watching the rain under the eaves of Lishenzhai.

The rain curtain, like a veil, covered the sky and the earth. Water cascaded from the eaves like ribbons, splashing and shattering like jade. The courtyard was filled with puddles, and raindrops hitting the surface created countless ripples.

Xiangling stood quietly to the side, watching Yuan Yi, dressed in a moon-white robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves, stand with his hands behind his back. The wind fluttered his robes, making his figure appear even more upright. She sighed inwardly, "Fourth Master's demeanor is truly extraordinary; even watching the rain has its own unique grandeur."

Suddenly, several figures emerged from the courtyard gate. Meng Xiong, along with Zhang Ruojin and his wife, and Lin Zhixiao and his wife, braved the torrential rain, some holding umbrellas and others wearing raincoats. Seeing Yuan Yi standing under the eaves, they quickly stepped forward to offer their greetings in the rain. Yuan Yi spoke first, saying, "The rain is heavy; it's not too late to greet me inside." With that, he turned and entered the study.

The five men followed him in. Yuan Yi sat down on a rosewood armchair in the hall. The five men bowed, and Yuan Yi told them to stand up.

Meng Xiong stepped forward and respectfully recounted in detail the arrest of Wu Xindeng and his wife, along with their family and servants, and the confiscation of their property. When he mentioned that Wu Xindeng and his wife had vehemently denied everything and that two large chests of gold and silver treasures had been found outside the city, Yuan Yi frowned slightly.

"What a treacherous servant!" Yuan Yi said in a deep voice after hearing this. "He has committed serious embezzlement, resisted and obstructed the investigation, and even hid his family's wealth. Such betrayal and ingratitude are heinous crimes!"

After a moment's thought, his gaze swept across the five people below the hall like lightning, and he immediately ordered: "You shall gather all the prominent stewards, managers, their wives, and male guests of the Rongguo Mansion, and have them assemble at the main courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion at the beginning of the day after tomorrow. In public, give Wu Xindeng forty strokes of the cane and his wife twenty strokes! And announce in public that this couple will be sold to a remote and harsh place! This matter will still be handled by Meng Xiong, with the Zhang Ruojin and Lin Zhixiao families assisting in the process."

Meng Xiong and the others obeyed: "We will obey Fourth Master's orders!"

The Zhang Ruojin couple and the Lin Zhixiao couple were all terrified. Such punishment was extremely severe even among aristocratic families. Not only would their property be confiscated, but they would also be publicly tortured and sold into remote, impoverished areas, where they would most likely die a miserable death. Even if they were lucky enough to live to old age, they would never be able to recover their fortunes.

The Lin couple exchanged glances, both secretly relieved: thankfully they had acted quickly, proactively confessing and making amends, and diligently assisting with the investigation; otherwise, Wu Xindeng's fate today would likely have been a cautionary tale for them. Lin Zhixiao's wife, recalling how she had recently laughed and joked with Wu Xindeng's wife, couldn't help but shudder.

Zhang Ruojin's heart was also in turmoil. He had been ordered by Yuan Yi to investigate the Rongguo Mansion, and although he had generally worked hard, he couldn't help but be mindful of past relationships and had made some mistakes. At this moment, he secretly resolved that he must be more honest and cautious in the future, and could not be careless.

After Yuan Yi gave a few more instructions, Meng Xiong and the other four respectfully took their leave.

The group walked through the courtyard and saw that the rain seemed to be getting heavier, and the world was shrouded in a vast expanse of white.

Zhang Ruojin's wife, Shen, held up an umbrella and whispered to her husband, "What a heavy rain! In June, it's raining as coldly as autumn rain."

Zhang Ruojin sighed, "The weather is unpredictable, and fortune can change in an instant!"

Madam Shen said, "Yes, those Wu Xindeng and his wife were so respectable and powerful before, but now they've fallen to such a state! We'll have to be even more careful from now on..."

Before she could finish speaking, a gust of wind carrying raindrops swept over her, scattering the rest of her sentence.

The Zhang Ruojin couple and the Lin Zhixiao couple quickened their pace, their hearts heavy, as if the rain was not falling on the ground, but hitting their hearts.

……

……

The following day, June 13th.

Early that morning, the sky was covered with dark clouds, and the weather was as gloomy as dusk. Just past dawn, a sudden "whoosh" was heard, and a torrential downpour began.

Raindrops pattered on the glazed tiles of the Duke's mansion, like thousands of pearls rolling on a jade plate. Rainwater flowed down the eaves of the mansion, forming curtains of water that shimmered with a cold luster in the hazy sunlight.

The heavy rain lasted for more than half an hour, and the courtyard of the Duke's mansion was flooded again. Several banana trees were battered by the rain and their broken leaves trembled in the wind and rain.

Gradually, the rain subsided, turning into a light drizzle, like smoke and mist, enveloping the entire Duke's mansion in a hazy atmosphere.

But in the early afternoon, around 3 PM, the weather suddenly changed again. Dark clouds loomed over the city, layer upon layer, as if to swallow everything in their path. Then, the rain poured down once more, no less intense than in the morning.

At this moment, Yuan Yi was wearing a black robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves, standing under the eaves of Lishengzhai, staring blankly at the rain-covered sky, his expression solemn, and he stared at the rain scene for a long time.

Xiangling, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but call out softly, "Fourth Master," when she saw him like this.

Yuan Yi slowly turned his head, his gaze still thoughtful: "What is it?"

Xiangling smiled and said, "This servant dares to ask, but I have noticed that Fourth Master has been particularly concerned about rain lately, often staring at the heavy rain in a daze. I wonder what the reason is?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yi paused, then turned his gaze to the waterlogged area in the courtyard. In one low-lying spot, the water was half a foot deep. He said in a deep voice, "I'm thinking that with the frequent floods in summer and the recent heavy rains, there might be a flood."

Xiangling said, "Fourth Master truly lives up to his noble birth; even while watching the rain, he thinks about such important matters concerning people's livelihoods. If he were an ordinary wealthy young master, he would probably still be enjoying the rain and having fun."

Yuan Yi remained silent, gazing intently at the rain. Raindrops pounded in the puddles, creating concentric ripples. He thought to himself: "Since last month, there have been many heavy rains, and the last three days have seen continuous downpours. It seems the Zhili floods of the third year in Taishun are most likely imminent!"

With this in mind, he turned around and went back into his study, took out a map of Zhili, and spread it on the large sandalwood table.

Although it was daytime, the sky was gloomy, and lamps were already lit inside the study. At this moment, Xiangling saw Yuan Yi spread out a map on the large table, and hurriedly moved the lamp closer.

The map was crisscrossed with mountains and rivers, dotted with cities like stars in the sky. Yuan Yi's slender fingers moved slowly across the map, his gaze lingering on the Yongding River and the Ziya River. These rivers, like lifelines, flowed through Zhili Province; if they were to breach their banks, the surrounding prefectures and counties would surely be affected…

……

……

As expected, Yuan Yi's prediction was correct.

On June 13th, the Zhili flood that had plagued Taishun for three years finally arrived!

Due to unusually heavy rainfall in the Zhili region, the water levels of rivers such as the Yongding River and the Ziya River rose sharply. Meanwhile, aging water conservancy facilities, severe siltation in river channels, and insufficient drainage capacity exacerbated the flooding.

On this day, Wen'an, Bazhou, Dacheng, and other counties in Shuntian Prefecture were submerged in water! The turbid waves surged skyward, the floodwaters rushing in like a thousand galloping horses. Wherever they went, farmland was destroyed, summer crops floated on the water; houses collapsed, their beams and pillars carried away by the current.

The cries of the people were deafening. Those who escaped quickly helped the old and children to higher ground, not even having time to pack their valuables; those who escaped slowly were swallowed up by the turbid waves in the blink of an eye, disappearing without a trace. Even more pitiful were the elderly, women, and children, who struggled and cried for help in the water, only to be swept away by the flood in an instant.

A family of seven or eight people were huddled on the roof calling for help when a wave suddenly crashed down, causing the entire house to collapse and the family to fall silent.

In this raging flood, the good and evil of human nature were laid bare. Some powerful and wealthy people sailed their boats to escape for their own lives, ignoring the cries for help from the floodwaters; while others, with righteous hearts, risked their lives to row small boats and rescue one stranger after another from the flood.

There are also some truly moving stories. For example, a middle-aged scholar from Wen'an County, who had already escaped to higher ground, saw two children calling for help from a nearby rooftop. He swam over to rescue them. The children were saved, but the scholar, exhausted, was swept away by the flood. Before he died, he cried out, "Saving the children was the priority!"

Urgent reports about the floods had already been sent by fast horses from all over the country, even braving torrential rain, to Changchun Garden on the western outskirts of the capital! The post horses galloped through the mud, their hooves splashing up murky water. Some of the couriers were soaked to the bone, yet dared not rest for a moment.

However, this was only the beginning of a major flood...

……

……

The following day, June 14th.

At the beginning of the hour of Si (9-11 AM), the sky was overcast, with dark clouds hanging low, pressing down on the Rongguo Mansion.

Inside the main courtyard, a dense crowd had gathered. Almost all the prominent stewards, managers, their wives, and guests of the household were present. Everyone stood according to their rank and status.

Stewards Lin Zhixiao and Shan Daliang stood at the forefront, one with a solemn expression, the other with his head bowed and silent. Behind them were stewards Zhou Rui, Dai Liang, Qian Hua, Yu Xin, and others. The wives of stewards from Lin Zhixiao's and Shan Daliang's households huddled together, some covering their mouths with handkerchiefs, others fiddling with their sashes. Meanwhile, several male guests, including Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren, gathered together, whispering and gossiping among themselves.

Suddenly, the sound of leather boots pounding the ground was heard. Meng Xiong, dressed in the official robes of a fifth-rank Imperial Guard, with a short-handled broadsword at his waist, led a squad of personal guards and servants, escorting Wu Xindeng and his wife, along with their entire family.

Wu Xindeng had just been given twenty lashes the day before, and today he struggled to walk, occasionally wincing in pain. His wife was in a similar sorry state, her whip marks still fresh, her hair disheveled, and she was being dragged along by two guards. Granny Wu looked ashen-faced, muttering incantations, whether a complaint, a curse, or a prayer was unclear. Wu Xindeng's youngest son looked terrified, tears welling in his eyes.

Meng Xiong strode to the ceremonial gate, his voice booming: "By order of the Duke, today we will publicly punish the treacherous and disloyal servants Wu Xindeng and his wife! Wu Xindeng has been in charge of the treasury for over ten years, engaging in rampant embezzlement, and further resisting and obstructing the investigation, concealing stolen silver. His crimes are heinous..."

After saying this, the guards pressed Wu Xindeng down onto an elm wood torture bench. The cane was as thick as a bowl and five feet long, gleaming coldly in the gloomy light.

"One!" the executioner shouted, and the rod fell with a whoosh.

Wu Xindeng was already injured from the twenty strokes of the cane the day before. When he was hit again today, he screamed in pain with the first blow, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

"two!"

"three!"

At first, Wu Xindeng continued to wail, but after twenty strokes, his voice gradually weakened, leaving only muffled groans. His body was covered in cuts and lacerations, and his silk trousers were soaked with blood, forming a dark red pool.

Everyone in the courtyard paled. Some of the more timid ones turned their faces away, while others exchanged furtive glances, seeing fear in each other's eyes.

After forty strokes, Wu Xindeng was barely breathing and lay slumped on the torture bench like a rag doll.

Then Wu Xindeng's wife was beaten with twenty strokes of the cane. At first, the woman was still crying and shouting, but by the tenth stroke, her voice had become hoarse; as the beating continued, she didn't even have the strength to groan anymore, and her body could only tremble instinctively as the cane fell.

Yuan Yi had specifically instructed Meng Xiong that the two men should not be beaten to death this time, so the beating was not very severe, but it was not light either. The purpose was not only to make the two men suffer enough, but also to make an example of them and deter others.

Meng Xiong surveyed the crowd and said sternly, "The Duke has ordered that these two be sold to remote and harsh lands!" He then raised his voice, "Anyone found guilty of embezzlement must confess and make amends within three days, or face severe punishment! The Wu Xindeng couple serve as a cautionary tale!"

These words struck everyone like a thunderclap, leaving some terrified and others ashen-faced.

However, just as there are all sorts of people, even with such ruthless measures, there were still those who were oblivious to their fate...

Only after Meng Xiong escorted the prisoner away did the crowd dare to whisper among themselves.

Shan Pinren quietly tugged at Zhan Guang's sleeve, and the two retreated to a corner. Shan Pinren lowered his voice and said, "Brother Zhan, that lord is so ruthless, showing no mercy even to a steward like Wu Xindeng, and Lord Zheng is completely obedient to him. What should we do?"

Zhan Guang glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, gritted his teeth and said, "What's the panic! We are guests of the gentry, not servants of this mansion! Just do as we agreed before. If they really investigate, just say it was a reward from Lord Zheng. Then we can ask Lord Zheng for help. I'm sure he will remember our past relationship and not stand idly by."

Dan hesitated for a moment before nodding. In recent years, he had secretly embezzled a considerable amount of money from the Rongguo Mansion. If he were to confess, not only would his family be impoverished, but his reputation would also be ruined, making it difficult for him to maintain his foothold in the capital city in the future.

As the two were talking, they suddenly saw Zhang Ruojin strolling over. They quickly stopped talking and forced smiles. Zhang Ruojin gave them a meaningful look and said in a low voice, "Gentlemen, did you hear what Master Meng said just now? The three-day deadline will pass in the blink of an eye."

Zhan Guangqiang laughed and said, "Uncle Zhang is joking. We scholars make a living by writing and occasionally receive some rewards to make ends meet. There's nothing to confess."

Zhang Ruojin smiled faintly: "I hope so. But I must remind you both that the Duke's eyes are extremely discerning." With that, she bowed and left.

Watching Zhang Ruojin's departing figure, Zhan Guang secretly spat, "That Zhang Ruojin, now that she's climbed up the social ladder, she's lecturing us!"

Dan Pinren, however, was deeply worried: "Brother Zhan, I feel uneasy. Wu Xindeng's fate was truly terrifying..."

“What are you afraid of!” Zhan Guang interrupted him. “Not to mention that we are not servants of this mansion, our meager earnings are nothing compared to those of Wu Xindeng.”

Even so, Zhan Guang felt as if a huge boulder was pressing on his heart.

Looking up at the sky, the dark clouds seemed even thicker, as if another heavy rain was about to fall.

The copper bells on the eaves jingled in the wind, as if sounding an alarm for them, or perhaps sighing for the Rongguo Mansion, a century-old prestigious family...

(End of this chapter)