Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 121 Dharma-rectification!

Because Yan Cong had come yesterday and given prior notice, Chen Qing easily found several officers from the Zhenfu Division who were keeping watch nearby.

These captains were of far lower rank than the Imperial Guards, and upon seeing Chen Qing, they all hurriedly bowed and paid their respects.

"Greetings, Commander Chen!"

Chen Qing looked at them and said with a smile, "Brothers, you've worked hard. Come on, I'll take you to get some extra money."

Several officers from the Zhenfu Division rolled their eyes and followed Chen Qing to a nearby restaurant. Soon, several bowls of meat were served.

In this era, regardless of social class, unless one was a high-ranking official or noble, eating meat was not a common occurrence. Even the captains of the Zhenfu Division were no exception. Soon, their mouths were covered in oil.

Chen Qing wiped his mouth and asked, "What's the situation with this Zhao family?"

"We don't know either."

The captain, who was in his early twenties, put down the bone in his mouth, looked at Chen Qing, and answered honestly, "I only know that the superior gave us this rank and assigned us this task, saying that the three of them are the family members of a wanted criminal, and that we should watch over them and not let them run around."

"And they are not allowed to leave the capital."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing seemed to be deep in thought.

He lowered his head, took a sip of wine, and sighed inwardly.

That Vice Minister Zhao must wield considerable influence, enough for the Emperor to go to such lengths to treat him, and judging from the situation, His Majesty the Emperor…

The approach was still a bit too lenient.

Rather than dragging this out for years without any results, it would be better to be decisive. Either kill him outright or strip him of his official position and send him back to his hometown.

Imprisoning Vice Minister Zhao in the imperial prison and confining his family in the capital is utterly ostrich-like behavior—burying their heads and pretending nothing happened.

“I just went to check on him. Zhao Shilang’s wife is ill. Since it was ordered by the higher-ups, we must take good care of her. If she dies here, I’m afraid the brothers won’t be able to explain it.”

Chen Qing smiled and said, "Tomorrow, I will invite a doctor to examine Madam Zhao, and I will cover all the expenses."

The officers in charge of guarding the family knew what to do but not why. They didn't know why they were there to monitor and supervise the family. When Chen Qing explained, they naturally had no objections and all agreed.

Chen Qing had a meal with these captains, and after they were full, he returned to the Zhao family's residence.

He had just knocked on the door when it opened immediately. A boy of about sixteen or seventeen years old opened the door and, upon seeing Chen Qing, cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Brother Chen."

Chen Qing sized up the young man and said with a smile, "You must be Young Master Zhao?"

Zhao Shilang had a son and a daughter who originally lived with him in the capital. After the great upheaval three years ago, Zhao Shilang was imprisoned, the Zhao family was raided, and his wife and children were forced to live in the outer city.

This young master of the Zhao family was only thirteen years old at the time. Because of this incident, he was also implicated here. Not only was his study interrupted, but now he has to work every day to earn some money to support his family.

"I dare not address you as 'Young Master'."

The young man took a deep breath and said, "I was moving goods in the east, but I came back after hearing the news. Sister Gu told me that Brother Chen saw my father in the imperial prison?"

He looked at Chen Qing earnestly: "Brother Chen, how is my father now?"

Chen Qing smiled and said, "Young Master Chen, you can rest assured about that. I dare not speak for others, but Vice Minister Zhao is definitely living better than anyone else in the imperial prison."

The Zhenfu Division prison is not an easy place to enter.

Ordinary officials who go in, even if they don't die inside, will be severely tortured when they come out. As for Vice Minister Zhao, he may have been tortured at first during his three years inside, but now, the Zhenfu Division has long since stopped torturing him.

For this reason alone, he was the prisoner who fared the best in the imperial prison.

The young man took a deep breath, bowed to Chen Qing, and said, "Brother Chen, could you take me to see my father?"

"Not now."

Chen Qing was still unsure what the emperor was thinking, so he couldn't give a clear answer on the matter of Zhao Shilang.

His current contact with the Zhao family is, in fact, skirting the line, and the emperor is very likely to find out.

Chen Qing was also waiting for the emperor to find out about this matter, so that when he met the emperor in the future, if the emperor could express his opinion, Chen Qing would be able to start dealing with the matter.

If we can successfully get that Vice Minister Zhao out...

Now, Chen has gained another powerful backer in the imperial court!

"I see."

The young master of the Zhao family sighed, "I was being presumptuous."

As the two were talking, Miss Zhao and Gu Pan walked out of the room hand in hand. Miss Zhao looked at Chen Qing and bowed to him, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Chen."

Clearly, Gu Pan had already explained the general situation to her during this time.

Chen Qing waved his hand and said, "As a junior, it is what I should do." Then he looked at Gu Pan and said softly, "Pan'er, we can't stay any longer. I'll go in and visit Madam Zhao. Let's go now."

"Tomorrow, I will invite a doctor to examine Madam Zhao."

Chen Qing said solemnly, "All expenses will be ours."

Miss Zhao stepped forward and knelt down on the ground.

"The entire Zhao family is deeply grateful for Young Master Chen's kindness!"

As soon as she knelt down, the young man from the Zhao family also knelt down. Chen Qing quickly helped them both up, and then went inside with Gu Pan to visit Madam Zhao. Only then did he leave Zhifang Hutong with Gu Pan and get back into the carriage.

After the carriage started moving, Gu Pan let out a long sigh.

"The last time I saw them was four or five years ago. Back then, the whole family was very wealthy."

"Now, now..."

Miss Gu sighed, "Even Sister Manjun's arranged marriage was canceled by that family, for fear of being implicated."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing remained calm.

"Seeking advantage and avoiding harm is all too common in this capital city."

He said quietly, "This is all we can do now. After some time, I will find out His Majesty's thoughts, and things may take a turn for the better."

Miss Gu held Chen Qing's hand and shook her head slightly: "It's better not to. With your status, Dalang, you've already done more than enough for them."

Chen Qing reached out and hugged Miss Gu, saying softly, "Pan'er, don't worry. No matter what I do, I will make sure I am safe first."

…………

The following day, the Zhenfu Division prison.

Chen Qing changed into the clothes of the Zhenfu Division, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the White Lotus Sect members who were being held in front of him.

The leader was naturally Bai Tangzhu, whose original name was "Chang Si".

Behind Master Bai were thirty or forty other people, all of whom were deeply involved in some of the White Lotus Sect's "projects," such as organ harvesting and mutilation, and brothels.

These people, including Granny Liu from Zaoshu Hutong, have basically experienced all the methods used by the Zhenfu Division.

Especially Master Bai, who is now kneeling on the ground and can hardly keep his knees down.

He knelt tremblingly on the ground, looked up at Chen Qing sitting in front of him, and shivered.

After a long while, he finally knelt down and said in a trembling voice, "Master Chen, Lord Chen, we've said everything we needed to say, we've said everything! Please, have mercy..."

"Just give me a quick death..."

Chen Qing crossed his legs, looked at the once-impressive Master Bai in front of him, narrowed his eyes, and said softly, "Don't be in a hurry, I'm here today to give you a quick and painless experience."

At this point, he glanced coldly at Hall Master Bai and slowly said, "Today is the day of the court assembly. His Majesty will announce your crimes publicly at the assembly."

"And you are condemned."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be here wasting my time with you beasts so early in the morning."

Chen Qing glanced outside and said slowly, "By now, the court assembly should have been underway for some time, and the documents sentencing you might already be on their way."

Master Bai collapsed to the ground, unable to utter a single word.

He felt somewhat lost, unsure whether he should feel fear or relief.

These past few days at the Zhenfu Division have been incredibly difficult!
Chen Qing said calmly, "You're lucky that His Majesty needs to execute you. Otherwise, according to my methods, you, Master Bai, would have lived in the Zhenfu Division for at least another year or two."

Without weapons, poison, or personal freedom, even suicide is a luxury.

Master Bai gave a bitter laugh and was about to speak when Yan Cong strode in. He first looked at Chen Qing, then at the prisoners, and coughed lightly.

"His Majesty's decree!"

"Order the bandit leader Chang Si to be executed by slow slicing."

“Those who participated in the harvesting and mutilation of animals shall all be cut in half at the waist.”

"The rest of the demonic sect members."

Yan Cong looked coldly at everyone, his voice low.

"They were all taken to Caishikou and beheaded as a warning to the public."

(End of this chapter)