Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 281 Tooth for Tooth
“My brother comes from a distinguished family, and his talent and demeanor far surpass mine. How could I have offended your son to suffer such a cruel fate?”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai snorted coldly again, then pointed at Wang Chongjun, whose face was pale and uncertain, and said to Wang Sixian, "It's no use asking me this. Why don't you ask yourself how you're willing to take the blame for your son in order to protect him?"

Knowing that the other party had committed the crime of hiring someone to kill, Wang Sixian was not going to let it go easily. He took out a silver coin from his pocket, presented it to Zhang Dai with both hands, and said in a deep voice, "My son has indeed committed a great crime, and the mistake has been made. We can only try our best to make amends. This is a sum of ten thousand strings of cash to be paid to Xijing. Please accept it, Sixth Brother, to help Seventh Brother with the medicine he needs to recover from his injuries."

Zhang Dai glanced at the flying money voucher, then looked at Wang Sixian and said, "How much is the reward for hiring someone to kill your son, according to the rumors circulating in the North Gate?"

Upon hearing this, both Wang's father and son's expressions changed. Wang Chongjun opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by his father's stern gaze.

Wang Sixian abandoned his air of a general from the Northern Army, adopting a pitiful demeanor as he bowed his head and sighed to Zhang Dai, "I know that my meager wealth is no match for the wounds suffered by a young master from a prestigious family. However, the reason for what has happened today is also due to money..."

The Zheng family, my in-laws, are arrogant and self-important, showing no compassion for our humble circumstances. They only demand money and silk. If they truly had any savings, they wouldn't be in this predicament. I, Zhongqin, have been working diligently at the North Gate. Half a lifetime's savings have vanished in an instant. I truly have nothing…”

Despite the man's pitiful story, Zhang Dai felt no sympathy whatsoever.

To put it bluntly, the reason the Five Clans are so arrogant is because you sycophantic bastards have spoiled them! What real improvement can you gain by spending all your wealth to marry a woman from one of the Five Clans? You have money to marry a woman from one of the Five Clans, but not money to pay for my brother's medicine?
He didn't want to get entangled with the Wang family any further. After thinking for a moment, he accepted the silver money note. He couldn't help but think to himself that this flying money was indeed convenient. If the other party really had to pay tens of thousands of coins and goods, he would probably have to make many trips back and forth.

"You unfilial son, quickly kowtow and thank Sixth Master for his forgiveness!"

When Wang Sixian saw Zhang Dai accept the compensation, he quickly handed over the relevant tokens for withdrawing the money, and then took the opportunity to scold his son, wanting to put an end to this feud.

However, Zhang Dai waved his hand and said, "Your son has not offended me, is not inferior to me, and has no need to kowtow to me. But my brother suffered at his hands and is still bedridden. He needs to go inside and kowtow to his bedside to beg for forgiveness!"

"This, this... Could we trouble you, Qi Lang, to come in here so that my father and I can beg for your mercy?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Sixian looked troubled, while Wang Chongjun was terrified when he heard that he had to go inside the house to apologize, and shook his head repeatedly.

Zhang Dai casually tossed the money voucher on the ground and sneered, "Are you afraid I'll commit murder in my own home? If I intended to harm your son, I wouldn't need to defile my own courtyard!"

"No, no... How could a young master from a prestigious family like Liu Lang act so violently! It's just that he's my only son, and he's been pampered since childhood. To protect him, I'm willing to humiliate myself and beg for help. I trust Liu Lang, please understand the situation. After my son comes to apologize, this grudge can be wiped clean."

Upon hearing this, Wang Sixian said with an embarrassed yet threatening expression.

"If you're worried, you might as well come in with me."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai laughed and said, while Wang Sixian shook his head and waved his hand, saying, "No need, no need, I will wait here."

"Father, I...I..."

Wang Chongjun looked anxious and hesitant, but Wang Sixian said in a deep voice, "You may go ahead, I will wait here. If things still don't go well, I will do my best to find the right people to satisfy Liu Lang!"

At the same time, he gave a look to his two attendants, signaling them to follow him inside and protect his son.

Zhang Dai ignored his seemingly forceful words and gestured for Ding Qing to pick up the discarded money vouchers. He then instructed several servants to lead Wang Chongjun into the house.

Wang Sixian sat down with a serious expression. He had made his point very clear: if Zhang Dai dared to harm his son, he would certainly retaliate fiercely!
Soon Zhang Dai brought Wang Chongjun to the door of Zhang Yu's residence in the east wing. He went inside first and said to Zhang Yu, "Wang Chongjun, who injured you, is outside the door. Do you want to see him?"

"Brother, you've captured him?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu's spirits lifted immediately, but Zhang Dai shook his head and recounted how the Wang father and son had come to apologize, placing the compensation vouchers beside Zhang Yu's bed.

"This...this...I sold my leg for ten thousand strings of cash? Brother, I don't blame you, but to ask me to forgive him like this, my heart..."

Zhang Yu's face quickly darkened, and he said in a hoarse voice.

"Who said we should forgive him? I just came in to tell you to stay alert and keep a close eye on things!"

Zhang Dai stepped forward and tapped him on the forehead. Because of his leg injury, he couldn't easily move out of bed, so he asked his family to open a window on one side. He then went outside, pointed at Wang Chongjun, and ordered, "Kneel down!"

Wang Chongjun knelt down with a thud, then quickly bowed and said, "Zhang Qilang, I've come to admit my mistake! That day I..."

"Cover his mouth and hold it down!"

Zhang Dai ignored his nonsense, raised his hand to signal An Xiaochen and the others to control the two servants of the Wang family, and then ordered his servants to step forward and pin Wang Chongjun to the ground. He then picked up his wooden staff and walked over.

"Zhang Liulang, you didn't keep your word... Waaah!"

Wang Chongjun screamed in alarm, but his mouth was quickly covered. Zhang Dai then swung his wooden staff and struck Wang Chongjun's shin forcefully. Wang Chongjun immediately collapsed to the ground, convulsing and whimpering in pain. Several servants had to press him down to steady him, but Zhang Dai continued to swing the staff at his leg. Wang Sixian's words were all nonsense to him. No matter how much he tried to persuade him with a combination of threats and persuasion, it couldn't hide his true nature of being all bark and no bite, and his act of begging for mercy.

Wang Chongjun broke his brother's leg, so he should break the guy's leg too—that's fair and just! If Wang Sixian thinks he's been wronged and won't let it go, he can just continue with the next round.

"Well done! Well done! You scoundrel, who knew this day would come after you harmed me like this?"

Upon witnessing this scene while bedridden with injuries, Zhang Yi was immediately filled with delight, excitedly shouting his approval, and looking at Zhang Dai with even greater reverence. It turned out that his elder brother wasn't just ruthless towards him, but even more ruthless towards outsiders!

Inside the north hall of the east wing, Madam Zheng heard the commotion outside and immediately frowned, her face showing anger: "Which lowly servant is making such a racket outside?"

"Reporting to Mistress, it is indeed Liu Lang! Liu Lang has captured the thief who injured Ah Lang the other day and brought him into the house. He has also broken the thief's leg! The servants outside are all watching and cheering!"

Upon hearing the question, a maidservant hurriedly went inside to report.

"How could this be? Weren't the Wang family members who committed the crime supposed to be generals of the Northern Gate, numerous and powerful, and extremely vicious? How could they have been captured and brought here?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng's face immediately showed surprise, but she still remained skeptical and disbelieving.

"Mistress, it's absolutely true! I don't know what trick Sixth Master used to force the Wang family father and son to come and apologize. The old man was still waiting in the front hall, while the son who had attacked him was brought in, and Sixth Master personally broke his leg!"

Su Qiniang, who had been watching the commotion outside, returned and said that Zheng Shi finally believed it. Then she said angrily, "Well done! These thugs from the North Gate think they're so tough, bullying my brothers and hurting my sons. They really think there's no law in the world and no one can punish them!"

"No matter how powerful they are, how can they compare to Liu Lang! Liu Lang is truly impressive this time. He will retaliate against any bullying that others have done to him!"

Su Qiniang had originally harbored considerable resentment towards Zhang Dai, but after witnessing him personally break someone's leg bone, she felt a surge of awe. She couldn't help but whisper to Zheng Shi, "Sixth Master's actions are truly inspiring! With the Master not home, and my lord suffering this misfortune, no one was willing to stand up for him. It was only Sixth Master's intervention that intimidated everyone, preventing anyone from underestimating this family. Madam, Sixth Master is truly..."

"Hmph, isn't this what he should be doing? The yellow dog under the fence has been raised for many years. If it can't guard the house, bark at guests, or bite people, what's the point of raising it!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng snorted coldly and said disdainfully.

Upon hearing this, Su Qiniang's expression became somewhat unnatural. After a moment's thought, she said, "That's the truth, but Liu Lang is not a dog under a fence. After this incident, can't you see who you truly rely on?"

Now, no one dares to slight Liu Lang, whether inside or outside the household. Even if his mistress ignores him, he can still enjoy the blessing of being respected and cared for. Why hurt others and alienate relationships for a moment of pleasure?

"Do I need you to teach me? I have my own son... If not, if not... why would I need him to step in!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng was naturally furious. She then glared at Su Qiniang and shouted, "You wretched woman, do you also covet the power of that bastard and want to betray your master and join him?"

"How could I have such an intention? The mistress is the master, and Liu Lang is also the master. We are relatives within the same household, not enemies... Liu Lang's deep affection for his brother is evident to all of us. On the contrary, it is the maternal uncle's family, who caused this incident, who has not dared to come and inquire to this day..."

"Shut up, you filthy woman, get out!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng became even angrier. While cursing, she grabbed whatever was at hand and threw it at Su Qiniang.

Leaving aside the turmoil inside the house, when Wang Sixian, who was waiting in the front hall, saw his son, who had walked in perfectly fine, being carried out with his leg broken, his anger surged to his head: "Zhang Liu, how dare you! My son and I came sincerely to pay our respects and beg for forgiveness, and you dare to do such a vicious thing!"

"I also sensed the sincerity of you and your son, which is why I gladly accepted this apology."

Zhang Dai pointed to Wang Chongjun's broken leg and then looked at Wang Sixian and said, "My brother's injuries were originally more than just a broken leg, but seeing that you and your son sincerely came to admit your mistakes and truly repent, I will not dwell on the minor details and will only break one of his legs."

"Father, Father, save me! Zhang Liu is wicked..."

Wang Chongjun, who had fainted from the pain, woke up again and immediately wailed upon seeing his father.

Hearing his son's cries of agony, Wang Sixian's heart broke. He grabbed the small table in front of him and was about to smash it against Zhang Dai when he shouted, "Smash the Zhang family to avenge my son!"

"How dare you, you scoundrel, smash up my house!"

At this moment, Zhang Yue rode home from outside, looking as vigorous as ever. Upon hearing Wang Sixian's roar, he also shouted loudly. Many armored soldiers rushed in behind him, quickly surrounding the front hall.

Upon seeing this, Wang Sixian was naturally shocked. He then shouted to Zhang Shuo with a face full of grief and indignation: "Lord Zhang Yan, my father and I have come to pay our respects, and your grandson has been so vicious as to break my son's leg!"

Zhang Shuo ignored this and simply ordered his soldiers, "Anyone among these thugs who dares to damage a single item in my home, kill them on the spot, and I will personally report them to the criminal authorities afterwards!"

(End of this chapter)