Chapter 153 Who is the real culprit? A resounding victory in the public trial.
A strange scene unfolded on Luming Street.
Amidst the bustling crowd, a clearing was created, where countless people watched with a mix of excitement, indifference, and astonishment as the three Liu brothers stood in the center of the clearing.
The eldest brother, Liu Ziwen, collapsed into the arms of the second brother, Liu Zian.
Blood flowed continuously from his chest, and blood slowly oozed from his seven orifices. His body convulsed intermittently, and his eyes were wide open like those of a dead fish, as if he were a fish being forced to its death by a fishmonger on a chopping board, seemingly enduring some unspeakable torment within his body.
These weren't the symptoms one would expect after being stabbed in the chest and abdomen; rather, they resembled the poisoning symptoms of the unconscious Jade Cup Fairy in the nearby ancestral hall.
However, at present, the poison that Liu Ziwen was poisoned seems to be in its early stage. The toxin has not penetrated the body very deeply, and the symptoms are not as severe as those of the Jade Cup Fairy.
However, if this strange poison does indeed have a mechanism that damages the flow of blood vessels and meridians, then compared to its intensity, the slow and intense nature of the poison is clearly more like torture.
From Liu Ziwen's distorted facial expression at this moment, one can get a general idea of what's going on.
The body of a man in a felt hat was lying on the ground nearby, and Yan Liulang and the other constables rushed over to surround it.
However, at this moment, apart from the wailing and sobbing of Liu Zilin, Liu Zian and other members of the Liu family, the atmosphere in the entire venue quickly cooled down.
The echoes of the man in the felt hat's last shout before his suicide still seem to linger in the air.
The scene was quiet. Yan Liulang, County Magistrate Diao, and other county officials, as well as the onlookers and common people, all unconsciously turned their eyes to the official desk not far away.
Ouyang Rong, Shen Xisheng, and Wang Lengran all sat calmly at the ceremonial desk.
Adult? Which adult?
Many people in the crowd exchanged glances, a sense of doubt spreading among them.
The ceremonial desk became the focus of everyone's attention.
Shen Xisheng immediately looked at Wang Lengran.
Wang Lengran then turned his head and stared at Ouyang Rong.
Not only him, but many eyes on the field also fell on Ouyang Rong.
Only Xie Lingjiang, aside from her initial surprise, did not turn around to look at her senior brother.
Xie Lingjiang calmly stopped beside the body of the man in the felt hat, picked up the blood-stained dagger from the ground with a handkerchief, and examined it carefully in the sunlight.
Under the sunlight, Ouyang Rong stood tall and straight, his hands supporting him on the table, his upper body leaning forward.
He ignored the reactions of Wang Lengran or Shen Xisheng and the others around him.
"Save them first!"
Beneath his striking eyebrows, his eyes stared straight ahead as he spoke in a clear voice.
Xie Lingjiang immediately put down his dagger and stepped forward, brushing aside Liu Zilin and the others, and used his spiritual energy to quickly seal Liu Ziwen's acupoints.
Having learned from the previous experience with the Jade Cup Fairy, Xie Lingjiang seemed to be quite familiar with the mechanism of this poison, and her actions were incredibly swift.
After his convulsions stopped and the bleeding from his seven orifices slowed down, temporarily suppressing the poison in his body, Liu Ziwen was still not unconscious, but his face was pale and weak.
"Doctor! Where's the doctor? Go get someone, quick!"
Liu Zian shouted urgently, and the surrounding constables and servants of the Liu family hurriedly went to fetch the nearest doctor.
"Hang in there, big brother!"
Liu Zian's eyes were bloodshot, and he lowered his head in sorrow, clutching a handkerchief and trembling as he wiped the blood from his elder brother Liu Ziwen's mouth, nose, and lips.
The onlookers initially thought that what followed would be a tragic scene of brothers being assassinated and entrusting their children to each other.
"You...you...you're so cruel!"
Liu Ziwen, who had been staring with dead fish eyes, suddenly straightened up like a zombie. His left bloodied hand, which had been clutching his chest, gripped Liu Zian's wrist, which was holding a handkerchief, tightly, like a dying crab delivering a final blow to its prey.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Liu Ziwen, his face contorted with rage, roared at Liu Zian:
"You're my brother, why? Why! You...you're so cruel!"
As he uttered those last few words, a hint of sorrow appeared on his blood-stained,狰狞 face.
Liu Zian seemed to be stunned for a moment, and the handkerchief that was tightly gripping his wrist fell to the ground.
"Whoa—!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd of people packed into Luming Street erupted in a chorus of surprised exclamations.
Who could have imagined things would develop this way? It's like we've stumbled upon some juicy gossip.
The people who had been glancing at Ouyang Rong, Shen Xisheng, and Wang Lengran at the ceremonial desk all turned to look at a certain figure who was sitting there in a daze.
Xie Lingjiang, County Magistrate Diao, and Yan Liulang couldn't help but glance at Liu Zian.
The three men, Ouyang Rong and his companion, each with a different expression, turned their gazes to Liu Zi'an at the ceremonial desk.
Besides them, Liu Zilin and other members of the Liu family subconsciously took a step back, glaring at the second head of the Liu family who was holding Liu Ziwen in a sorrowful embrace.
"Brother, what are you saying? It wasn't me, I didn't do it! How could I do such a thing, brother! No... it wasn't me!"
Liu Zian stared wide-eyed, momentarily at a loss for what to do, and even began to stammer in grievance.
Immediately, he stood up abruptly and looked around.
Facing the gazes of the entire audience, and the wide-open eyes of his third brother, Liu Zilin, Liu Zian angrily shouted:
“My elder brother and I are as close as brothers, how could I do such a thing! Who instigated this and severed our brotherly bond? I, Liu Zi’an, and the Liu family will never let him live under the same sky!”
After reading the entire document through gritted teeth, Liu Zi'an sat down again, tightly embracing Liu Ziwen. He didn't look at Liu Ziwen, but instead turned to Liu Zilin and the other members of the Liu family, his face serious, and said:
"Now is not the time for suspicion! Third brother, Liu Fu, go and fetch a doctor immediately. Eldest brother's injuries cannot be delayed any longer! Whether you believe it or not, get eldest brother back first. We can talk about everything else when we get back. I am innocent and upright, and I can prove it myself. Let the whole family investigate and scrutinize me then! Now, let's get on with the business!"
As the second-in-command of the Liu family, Liu Zi'an made arrangements on the spot, then abruptly turned his head and loudly reported towards the ceremonial desk:
"Lord Ouyang, Lord Wang, Lord Shen, a despicable enemy has hired someone to commit murder. I urge you gentlemen to send men to investigate thoroughly and get to the bottom of this. Also, could you please postpone today's public trial a little? My elder brother... my elder brother..."
The second-in-command of the Liu family held his elder brother in his arms, tears streaming down his face.
The entire hall fell silent as everyone watched Liu Zian, who was filled with grief and indignation.
His words left everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.
Ouyang Rong glanced at Liu Zi'an, and exchanged a look with his junior sister who was watching the scene closely beside the Liu brothers.
The latter shook her head slightly, indicating that she was also unsure.
The Liu family members, led by Liu Zilin, looked hesitant.
"You..." Liu Ziwen, who was being held tightly in Liu Zian's arms, had some difficulty speaking and his words were intermittent.
"Big brother...you go ahead."
Liu Zian finally lowered his head, put his ear to Liu Ziwen's blood-stained lips, and listened attentively.
"You...you have this poison..."
Ignoring Liu Zian's innocent and wronged expression, Liu Ziwen stared intently into his eyes, his voice detached, only audible to Liu Zian.
Liu Zian lowered his head and choked with sobs, then leaned close to Liu Ziwen's ear and said:
"It really wasn't me, brother. I've told you everything. Also, have you forgotten? Yesterday you gave the poison to that person on the field..."
"Big brother, can you trust your second brother? He won't let him get away with this. Leave the Liu family to me for now. Just hold on for now, and I'll avenge you later. Big brother, you hold on too. You can't die. Wait until you recover..."
As the two brothers embraced and whispered to each other, a doctor from the clinic finally rushed over from outside.
Before Liu Zi'an released his embrace, Liu Ziwen, who had been staring intently at him, dimmed his eyes, clutched his bloodied chest and abdomen, slowly closed his eyes, and uttered a few words:
"Antidote..."
Liu Zian glanced at Liu Ziwen, nodded without saying a word, and stepped aside to allow the doctors and others from the clinic to rush forward and help the injured.
The open space cleared by the surrounding crowd suddenly became noisy and bustling.
Liu Zian stood up, looked down at the blood of his elder brother that covered his body, and his eyes were filled with grief and confusion.
Seeing Liu Zilin slowly approaching from the side, Liu Zi sighed wearily, "Third brother, I really..."
"Second brother, third brother believes in you!"
Liu Zilin suddenly stepped forward, leading the Liu family to greet them. He grasped Liu Zian's wet, red hands and nodded vigorously:
"Our eldest brother has been attacked. Now we can only rely on you, second brother, to get us through this... Second brother, don't be too sad. Cheer up. Today's events must be caused by that person..."
Halfway through his sentence, Liu Zilin noticed Liu Zian's expression and immediately shut up.
Sure enough, Liu Zian immediately stepped forward and passed him, saying, "Lord Ouyang."
Liu Zian warmly stepped forward to greet Ouyang Rong and the others who had left the ceremonial desk and were approaching.
Ouyang Rong peeked out from behind his back and glanced at Liu Ziwen, who was being lifted onto a stretcher by two doctors.
Liu Zian smiled and said cautiously, "I'm sorry to trouble Lord Ouyang with your concern for my elder brother. By the way, sir, could the public trial be paused for a moment...?"
Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around and said, "I didn't care. Hmm, it's quite a pity."
He glanced at the blood-stained wounds on Liu Ziwen's body, who was on the verge of death, muttered something under his breath, turned around, and left with his entourage.
Liu Zian's smile froze. Just then, Ouyang Rong, who had turned around and taken a few steps, suddenly stopped.
"Oh, right, I came to inform Young Master Liu of something."
Xie Lingjiang, Yan Liulang, and Liu Ashan, tightly surrounding the young county magistrate in the middle, casually remarked without turning their heads:
"The public trial continues; Liu Jiabie will not be absent from the second half."
Liu Zian: "But my older brother..."
"Then let Second Young Master Liu go. Who said it has to be your eldest brother? But he can't escape his crimes either. Even if he gets injured, make sure he gets proper treatment and doesn't die."
"Furthermore, do you think I simply dislike you three brothers, or that I have some personal grudge against you, which is why I've been targeting you?"
Liu Zian quickly replied, "Lord Ouyang, this humble subject dares not..."
Ouyang Rong immediately interrupted:
"I'm sorry, no, it's not that boring. The people I've been trying from beginning to end have never been you."
"It's a public trial of the entire Liu family!"
"I only do one thing: disaster relief, flood control, and justice. Your Liu family of Longcheng is the biggest obstacle to this, and that is the original sin."
"The purpose of the county-wide public trial is to let all the scholars, commoners, merchants, and gentry in the county see what crimes your Liu family has committed!"
The young magistrate turned and left. Xie Lingjiang, Yan Liulang and other followers glanced coldly at Liu Zian and his group who were standing frozen in place, then turned around and followed the young magistrate.
Only the onlookers, who were just watching the show, and the Liu family members, who were beginning to tremble with fear, remained.
And so, not long after...
The county-wide public trial continues.
Afterwards, in the open-air courtroom on Luming Street, the sound of the gavel, which resonated deeply with Liu Zi'an and the rest of the Liu family, rang out and fell again and again.
In the hearts of the thousands of silent onlookers, something invisible, even more powerful than the Liu family before its collapse, was rising silently from the ground, instantly transforming into a towering building.
Its name is Justice.
...
Boom—!
Fine raindrops pattered on the ancient, upturned eaves.
Just two days after the county-wide public trial that took an unexpected turn but ended with smiles on the faces of the people of Longcheng, a rainstorm at the end of the plum rain season arrived.
The world seemed to be filled with the sound of raindrops hitting objects.
Rain is washing over this ancient city, which is located in a corner of Jiangnan Road.
It seemed as if something unclean was being washed away from it.
This is an official residence not far from the Longcheng County Government Office. Because it was very close to the Longcheng County Jail, it was renovated and renovated by the county government to house and guard prisoners who were on the charge or suspected of being criminals, but who were also ill.
At the entrance of a long corridor leading to the front courtyard of the officials' residence, Ouyang Rong, along with Yan Liulang, Liu Ashan, and others, put away their oil-paper umbrellas, shook them a couple of times, and stepped into the corridor.
"Liu Lang, have you found out who attacked Liu Ziwen?"
Ouyang Rong asked casually. In the two days following the public trial verdict, he had been busy dismembering the Liu family and had forgotten to follow up on some other matters.
Yan Liulang nodded and said, "This man is called Amo. He is not from Longcheng. He fled here a few years ago when there was famine and has been living in Longcheng County for quite some time..."
"Get to the point," Ouyang Rong suddenly said.
Yan Liulang nodded and said directly:
"His only connection with the Liu family was that when he first came to Longcheng County a few years ago, he was helped by the Liu family's porridge stall."
Ouyang Rong slowed his pace slightly, turned to look at the rain outside the corridor, and frowned slightly.
He remembered Old Cui, who used to burn the Liu family's accounts in the East Warehouse, and the blurry, aged face burned by the demon oil monster appeared before his eyes.
This old Cui seems to be the same; he was also helped by the soup kitchen of the old master of the Liu family back then, and later found a new way to make a living in Longcheng County.
Sometimes, fates in this world are quite similar.
Outside the long corridor, the sounds of flowing water and rain pattering on banana leaves seemed to envelop the heavens and earth.
Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze and noticed that Yan Liulang seemed hesitant to speak. He chuckled and said, "What other news is there? Speak up, there's nothing you can't say."
Yan Liulang truthfully replied, "This humble servant also believes that the Liu family members are the most suspicious, but this assassin named Amo actually... also has some connection with the Lord..."
"What connection?" Ouyang Rong seemed completely unsurprised.
Yan Liulang frowned: "The disaster relief camp that the government built in the suburbs also provided him with relief supplies. He had been receiving relief grain from the Shuangjiang Camp before."
Ouyang Rong chuckled and asked:
"Does Sixth Prince think it was me who did it?"
“How could that be? The Prefect would not do such a thing, nor would he stoop to it.” Yan Liulang said seriously, then paused and muttered to himself, “Just in case, even if he were to do it, he wouldn’t hide it from his subordinates.”
Ouyang Rong shook his head slightly, "The motives of the person behind this are very interesting."
Yan Liulang leaned forward and whispered, "Who does Your Excellency think is the real culprit? Liu Zi'an, or... that Lord Wang?"
Ouyang Rong, with his sleeves tucked in his sleeves, remained silent and walked alone for a while before suddenly turning back with a smile:
"Let's go, let's check if Master Liu is dead yet. It's best if he doesn't die so easily, even just keeping him on his last breath would be better, otherwise it would be too easy for him. Hmm, it would be best if we could see with our own eyes the generous gifts I've given him these past two days. Also..."
Ouyang Rong nodded earnestly:
"To be honest, I really want to uphold justice for him; after all, Master Liu's life is a life too..."
Yan Liulang and the others were stunned by what they heard, and quickly followed in the footsteps of the young county magistrate ahead.
...
This chapter was rushed, damn it! The second half of the public trial wasn't described in detail, so Xiao Rong had to explain it in a different way.
(End of this chapter)
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