After receiving permission, Qinglong quietly crept over.
Under the withered yellow tree, a hundred or so men dressed as soldiers were fighting around a group of twenty-odd people. No, "fighting" isn't quite the right word.
Because the side with fewer people consisted mostly of ordinary people, children, scholars, and a few women, who huddled in the middle, filled with fear and hatred.
The few who knew martial arts stood on the perimeter, armed and ready to defend, but each of them was covered in wounds and swayed precariously; it was only a matter of time before they were captured.
Qinglong's cold and stern expression didn't change at all, let alone offer any help.
They, from the Red Mansion, had no idea what "acting bravely for a just cause" even meant.
Hmm, those people... they look kind of familiar.
Qinglong thought for a moment, and finally took a few steps forward. Tsk, it really was an acquaintance.
It's that simple-minded magistrate, Wei Qing, who only thinks about the court and the people!
Lady Luo seemed to know them well, especially the child in the county magistrate's arms. Because the landlord always snatched candy from him, Qinglong had a deep impression of him.
He thought about it for a moment, then went back and told Jiuxian about the situation.
"Master, should we go rescue them? Lady Luo seems to have a good relationship with them."
Jiuxian was about to say he was busy, but upon hearing that he had a good relationship with Luo Xi, he immediately nodded: "I'll go take a look."
As for whether the attackers were government officials or soldiers, he acted as if he hadn't heard a word of it.
Over there, Wei Qing held his son's small body, looking at the others with a heavy heart, his whole being filled with despair.
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I've put everyone in this situation," he said remorsefully.
“Sanlang, you don’t need to apologize. We are family, it’s only right,” a member of the Wei family who was a little younger than Wei Qing said frankly.
“Yes, Brother Wei, this is our own choice, it has nothing to do with you.” These were Wei Qing’s fellow disciples.
Since the government troops stormed into the academy without saying a word and killed the teacher and many students, they have become irreconcilable enemies with the imperial court.
"Haha, good, stop!" The leading soldier who was besieging them shouted, then looked arrogantly at Wei Qing: "Lord Wei, if you have any last words, just say them."
"We've worked together before, so I'll try my best to help you achieve that."
Wei Qing's gentle and refined face was now filled with hatred: "Zhang Yang, I have always treated you well, why did you do this?"
Since becoming the magistrate of Qingshi County, he would always consult with Zhang Yang, the county clerk, about anything, and he never did anything to suppress him.
This time, whether it was opening granaries to distribute grain to relieve the people or going to the capital to meet the emperor to explain the disaster situation in Nanyue County, it was all something they had discussed and planned together.
But he... went to the prefect's office to inform on me first, not only pushing all the blame onto me, but also somehow conspiring with the prefect to frame me for treason.
The most ridiculous thing is that the imperial court didn't even investigate before issuing the imperial edict: the Wei clan would be exterminated.
What a terrible act of exterminating three generations of a family!
"Why? Ha, Wei Qing, you've become a county magistrate, how can you still be so naive?" Seeing that he was already trapped, Zhang Yang didn't mind having a good talk with him: "If I sell you, Wei Qing, and the Wei family, I can get a position as the chief official of Nanyue County. Tell me, how could I not be tempted by such a good deal?"
"Wei Qing, rest assured, after you leave, I will have all your bodies properly buried. I will never let your corpses be left to rot in the wilderness. This will also fulfill the bond we formed while working together."
“Chief official, hahaha—” Wei Qing laughed until tears streamed down his face: “So in your eyes, the Wei family and Mr. Bo Chuan’s academy, which together have several hundred people, are only worth a chief official position?”
“Of course not.” Zhang Yang looked regretful. Just when Wei Qing thought he still had some humanity left, Zhang Yang said, “I would like to change to a higher official position, but unfortunately, the prefect did not agree.”
"You... shameless!" Wei Qing felt a surge of anger and blood rush to his head, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. He swayed and almost fell to the ground.
"Wei Qing—"
The others gathered around him and helped him up: "Are you alright?"
Aunt Wei quickly took Wei Zhou and hugged him tightly in her arms, her tears instantly soaking the child's tender neck.
Zhang Yang slowly walked over and looked down at Wei Qing: "However, if you want to continue the Wei family line, considering how many years we've worked together, I might agree."
"Really?" Aunt Wei touched her grandson's bewildered little face and looked at him hopefully.
They had lived most of their lives, so their deaths were no big deal. But Zhouzhou was still so young, and she truly regretted not thinking of sending her off halfway through the journey.
"Of course," Zhang Yang answered readily.
Wei Qing wiped the blood from the corner of his lips: "Your conditions?"
"See? Even the naive Lord Wei isn't that naive after all!" Zhang Yang burst into laughter again.
Wei Qing didn't speak, but just looked at him calmly.
“Okay, okay, it’s actually quite simple…” Zhang Yang said, “Tell me, who gave you those firearms?”
"It's the thing you gave to your father and the others to block our way, something like a stone that would burst into flames if smashed,"
If he could get his hands on the method of making this thing and present it to the imperial court, he might even get a noble title or something.
"Your thing is really powerful. It killed almost half of my men in one go. If I hadn't been standing far away with the others, they probably would have suffered the same fate as your father and his men."
Wei Qing's expression changed: "I don't know what you're talking about?"
His benefactor kindly offered him protection, and he would never tell anyone.
"So your son isn't that important to you?" Zhang Yang stared intently at the child in Aunt Wei's arms.
"Or, I could keep him and send him to those pedophile noblemen. What do you think he would do then?"
"You—" Wei Qing knew without even thinking that if this were true, what kind of life would Wei Zhou lead in the future? He wouldn't even live to see the future.
He took his son from him and tenderly patted his little head. Just when Zhang Yang thought he was going to agree, he heard him say firmly, "You should just kill us all."
"Fine, just like your father, a tough nut to crack." Zhang Yang said resentfully, "Oh, you don't know how your father died? Well then, I'll kindly tell you."
“He wasn’t burned to death, I shaved him alive, you know? Even when his internal organs were exposed, he was still crying in pain and saying he didn’t know. He’s a real man.”
"You beast!" Wei Qing's eyes were bloodshot.
When he saw Zhang Yang chasing after him again, he was already prepared, but he never expected that his father and the others... would die so tragically.
He hated it so much!
"You will die a horrible death."
Zhang Yang laughed smugly: "If you don't tell me, I don't mind slicing your son into pieces too."
As for leaving behind offspring, that's impossible.
He's not stupid. Does he want to wait for that kid to grow up and seek revenge?
After being sliced into pieces, Wei Qing spat out another mouthful of blood and finally collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious.
"Wei Qing—"
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