From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

Zhu Hong's heart skipped a beat, his eyes brightened slightly, and he asked softly:

"What is Your Excellency's intention?"

Wang Zhenshan's eyes darkened, and he slowly spoke, "The Prefect has already agreed; you may command all six squads of constables." He paused briefly, then added:

"Including me."

Zhu Hong was overjoyed and was about to speak when Wang Zhenshan raised his hand to stop him. "However," he patted Zhu Hong's shoulder lightly, "let's deal with the trouble outside the door first."

"A disaster?"

Zhu Hong raised an eyebrow slightly.

Wang Zhenshan looked directly at him and smiled: "That Zhao Lai family's beating of the petition drum was aimed at you, wasn't it?"

Zhu Hong was slightly surprised, wondering how Wang Zhenshan had found out:

"How did the boss know about this?"

"You know more than that." Wang Zhenshan's eyes suddenly sharpened, and his voice lowered even further: "Yesterday I just witnessed that father and son sneaking in and out of the Jiang residence, and today they've come to the yamen to beat the drum and appeal for justice. It seems..." He paused, then sneered:

"Before we even went to their door, the Jiang family had already set their sights on you."

Zhu Hong nodded slightly, glanced indifferently at the screen wall, and said softly, "Zhao Lai's tricks won't amount to much."

"He's a petty person, nothing to fear."

Wang Zhenshan nodded in agreement, but then changed the subject, his gaze falling on Zhu Hong's face as he asked, "What are you planning to do later?"

"Add fuel to the fire."

A glint of cunning flashed in Zhu Hong's eyes as he smiled faintly and said, "Let's just pack them up and send them to the Jiang residence."

Seeing his confidence, Wang Zhenshan was first taken aback, then burst into laughter, patting Zhu Hong on the shoulder and saying, "Good! Let's see how you add fuel to the fire." As he finished speaking, his expression turned serious:

"Go in."

No matter how big the commotion, the authorities will take responsibility for you.

Zhu Hong smiled slightly, turned around and stepped onto the hall steps.

Beside a pillar, Lin Jizhi stood listlessly, scribbling on the ground with the tip of his shoe. Seeing Zhu Hong emerge, his eyes lit up, and he rushed forward, lowering his voice to ask, "What did the boss say to you alone?"

Zhu Hong glanced at him sideways: "You want to know?"

"certainly!"

Lin Jizhi quickly leaned her head closer.

"You'll find out soon enough," Zhu Hong said, then walked into the courtroom without looking back.

Lin Jizhi stared blankly for a long time, watching Zhu Hong's back, and couldn't help but spit out: "Good lad, how come he's so much like the boss! Of all people to learn from, why does he have to learn from him? Always keeping me in suspense." As he spoke, he was about to take a step to follow.

"stop."

Wang Zhenshan's voice came from behind.

Lin Jizhi paused, turned to look at Wang Zhenshan: "Boss, is there anything you need?"

"You wait outside."

Wang Zhenshan walked past him and said mercilessly, "There aren't many seats inside, you won't get a turn."

what?

Lin Jizhi glanced at Zhu Hong's figure, who had already entered the hall, and was greatly shocked. "I've been in Class Two for a year, so I'm considered an old-timer, right? How come I'm not as good as that kid Hong who came last!" He was about to question him when he looked up and met Wang Zhenshan's cold, aged face, and he shuddered.

"Never mind..."

Lin Jizhi leaned back against the pillar, tucking his hands into his sleeves. "It's bright and spacious outside, who cares to squeeze in?" Despite his words, his eyes kept glancing toward the hall, his neck stretched out long, looking like a goose locked outside.

*

*

The courtroom was already packed with people.

Gu Huai'an sat in the central seat, dressed in a blue official robe, with an indifferent expression, and unusually, he wore an official hat.

The person on the lower left is Liu Kui, with a straight back.

Further down, Wei Qingyuan, Wang Zhenshan, and their ilk sat on either side, with the head constables of each department lined up in order. Those without seats were the junior officers and senior clerks of each unit, standing silently with their hands at their sides.

"Is everyone here?"

Gu Huai'an raised his eyes and suddenly spoke.

"All done," a clerk holding a pen replied.

Gu Huai'an hummed in agreement, straightened up, and glanced at everyone in the hall before finally settling his gaze on those below.

"Bring people."

Two words, neither too loud nor too soft. Immediately, the shouts of the constables echoed from outside the hall:

"Bring those who beat the drum to appeal for justice to the trial!"

After the announcement, the main gate and side gates were opened wide, allowing for free flow inside and out. The people under the corridor were packed with people, their eyes all fixed on the hall. Even their breathing became lighter, as they waited to see how the "wrongful case" under the Dengwen Drum, a sight rarely seen in a lifetime, would be resolved.

Not long after.

Zhao Lai and his entourage were escorted into the room by bailiffs.

Zhao Gui's legs went weak, his feet felt unsteady, and he stumbled every few steps, only managing to stand with the help of the constables beside him. The two women behind him huddled at the back, trembling like frightened birds.

"Bang."

Upon entering the hall, they all knelt down.

Zhao Lai, trembling, took the lead in kowtowing, his voice weak: "This humble commoner, Zhao Lai, pays his respects to the Registrar."

Gu Huai'an didn't tell him to get up, but slowly asked:

"Do you know the rules?"

Zhao Lai lay prostrate on the ground, trembling all over. The confidence he had built up countless times last night was instantly devoured. But the die was cast, and he had no choice but to spit it out. "Reporting...reporting to the Registrar," he said, forcing a smile.

"Everyone knows this."

Wang Zhenshan glared at him and said, "Speak."

Zhao Lai swallowed hard and said tremblingly, "All those who beat the drum, regardless of right or wrong, shall first receive fifty blows from the God-Slaying Cudgel."

"Um."

Gu Huai'an nodded and said calmly, "Anything else?"

Zhao Lai shuddered, his forehead pressed against the cold brick floor, his voice even lower: "If the accusation is false, your entire family will be implicated."

The four words were uttered.

Zhao Gui's body went limp on one side, as if his bones had been removed, and he collapsed to the ground. The two women began to sob softly, but dared not cry out loud, trying their best to suppress their sobs.

"Tsk tsk, this is going to be interesting."

"No one has dared to beat the Dengwen Drum for a hundred years, but this old man has some guts."

"You have the guts?"

Look at him, he can't even kneel properly; he probably didn't sleep well last night.

"..."

Outside the hall, a murmur rippled through the crowd, many shaking their heads in dismay for the Zhao family below, who seemed utterly ignorant and arrogant.

Aphrodisiac.

The most ruthless torture instrument used by the government.

It doesn't strike the skin or injure the bones, but shakes the very soul. After fifty strokes, the person remains the same, without a single scratch on their body, but the pain in their soul is said to be worse than death. When the pain strikes, one cannot faint or die.

"quiet!"

Gu Huai'an glanced at the executioner beside the hall.

The executioner understood, turned around, and took a red lacquered wooden tray from the table. On the tray lay a black rod about three feet long. The rod was made of some kind of strange wood, its entire body was jet black and shiny, and its surface was engraved with fine runes, from which a faint light seemed to flow.

The executioner, holding a stick, walked up to Zhao Lai and stood still with his hands at his sides.

Zhao Lai looked up and saw the black stick. His pupils contracted sharply, and he involuntarily shrank back several inches. Behind him, Zhao Gui was already terrified, his mouth agape, like a fish out of water, making hoarse noises in his throat.

"According to the law."

Gu Huai'an's voice was neither hurried nor slow: "Those who beat the drum to appeal for justice will first receive fifty strokes of the cane." He paused slightly, his cold gaze sweeping across the hall below:

"The last question."

"You wait, but who will receive it?"