Chapter 65
Yuying, her elder brother, and sister-in-law were rushing to reach Jade County before the court session began.
Knowing that the court session for a retrial was to be held today, some villagers from Lingshui left their daily work to crowd around and watch the proceedings in Jade County.
Uncle He and Aunt He also went together.
On the way to Jade County, Yuying saw villagers from her own village and expressed her confusion, "Just for the love of excitement, they shouldn't abandon their work to watch."
Aunt He, walking beside her, whispered an explanation, "Almost everyone in Lingshui Village is a criminal or descendant of one, shunned and looked down upon by neighboring villages. Although relations within our village are not great, if outsiders bully someone from our village, we will surely stand with our own. This way, outsiders won't dare to bully us too openly."
Hearing this, Yuying turned to look at the villagers, some of whom she had only exchanged a few words with, and others she barely recognized.
Indeed, in any era, whether it's just a village or a family, despite internal strife, people come together as one when facing external threats.
After a long journey, Yu Ying, who had never walked such a distance, finally arrived in Yu County, almost too exhausted to stand.
She first reached the inn where Fu Wei was staying.
Inside the inn, seeing Fu Wei frequently looking towards the entrance, Song Sanlang thought he was waiting for his elder brother and said, "Your elder brother and the others should arrive soon. The court’s retrial today will surely go smoothly, so don't worry, Second Brother Fu."
Fu Wei responded with a faint "Hmm," nodding absentmindedly.
After a long wait, Fu Wei finally saw the figure he had thought about all night. A brief spark of light appeared in his calm, indifferent eyes, and a slight smile formed on his lips, bringing a hint of joy to his face.
Yu Ying, meeting Fu Wei's smile, smiled back at him. However, the hour and a half journey had left her utterly exhausted. After a brief smile, she slumped into a chair at their table, gasping for breath without uttering a word.
Seeing her pale and drained, Fu Wei quickly poured her a cup of tea, softly saying, "Take a sip of water first to catch your breath."
Yu Ying took the tea and gulped it down.
After she emptied the cup, Fu Wei continued to pour more tea for her.
After drinking three cups of tea and resting for a moment, the exhausted Yu Ying finally caught her breath.
She was incredibly tired, having never walked such a long distance without a break before, almost losing her sense of direction from fatigue.
Fu Zhen and his wife were only slightly tired, making Yu Ying seem as if she had never experienced hardship.
Knowing that Yu Ying had been brought up in comfort as the daughter of a prominent doctor, Fu Zhen and his wife had no doubts about her state.
Inside the inn, people were eagerly discussing the day’s retrial, with some wondering, "The case was already decided, why a retrial?"
Amidst various speculations, Yu Ying, after regaining her strength, looked at Fu Wei and asked, "When does the court session start?"
Fu Wei answered, "At the hour of Si, right now is the perfect time to go."
Hearing this, Yu Ying took a deep breath, then stood up with the support of the table, "Let's head to the county office now, then."
About an hour and a half later, they arrived outside the county office.
By this time, the outside of the county office was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, including some from Lingshui Village.
After reporting their arrival to the court officers, the officers went to inform the Magistrate.
Once everyone was assembled, the court session for the retrial commenced.
Those not directly involved in the case watched from outside the court, while those related to the case waited in the courtyard to be called into the courtroom.
Yu Ying, along with her elder brother and sister-in-law, and those who had caught the thieves yesterday, Song Sanlang and He Dalong, waited in the courtyard, while Fu Wei stayed outside the courtroom.
The onlookers outside, seeing Fu Wei seated in the plain palanquin, observed him curiously.
Fu Wei might have minded such attention before, but now he was completely indifferent.
Perhaps due to his unusual plain palanquin and his striking appearance, the crowd parted ways for him, allowing him unobstructed access to the front.
Uncle He and Auntie He, blocked outside: ……
Among those waiting in the courtyard, besides those Yu Ying knew, there was also an unfamiliar middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man sported a goatee and was meticulously groomed, dressed in a clean, plain robe, exuding an air of integrity.
However, with his hands clasped behind his back and his chin always held high, his gaze towards Yu Ying, who had just entered the office, was arrogant and disdainful.
This was a proud and conceited man, reminding Yu Ying of some colleagues she had encountered at work who, despite their skills, always judged others.
Yu Ying sensed a professional air about this middle-aged man.
If she was not mistaken, this man must be Manager Luo, the one the thieves had mentioned.
Faced with someone who had plotted against her, Yu Ying showed no cordiality, indifferently turning her gaze away.
The woman's cold demeanor caused Master Luo to frown in displeasure.
After all, she was just a woman. What could she possibly endure?
The call to session drew Master Luo's focus away, as he concentrated on addressing the unexpected developments of the day.
The magistrate of Jade County, dressed in official robes, entered from the back hall and took his seat in the courtroom.
Yuying was genuinely surprised to see the magistrate of Jade County.
Contrary to expectations, the magistrate was neither an old man nor a frail scholar.
Instead, he was a robust man in his thirties, with a broad back and strong build...
The sharp rap of the gavel snapped Yuying out of her surprise, and she stopped pondering why the magistrate had such a presence.
The magistrate called for silence and then announced, "Regarding the intentional destruction of Lingshui Village's medicinal fields, this court discovered some doubts after yesterday's verdict, hence the retrial today."
He then ordered the thieves from yesterday to be brought in.
These thieves, already beaten by Fuzhen and others, and having received ten lashes yesterday, appeared half-dead.
As they were dragged into the courtroom, seeing Master Luo, they averted their eyes guiltily. The sight of the man who had brutally beaten them brought back painful memories, turning their faces even paler with panic.
Observing the miserable state of these men, Master Luo was inwardly shocked, wondering if the magistrate had tortured them.
But he soon realized, seeing their panicked faces upon noticing the muscular man beside the woman, that it wasn't the magistrate but this man who had beaten them.
Master Luo then took a proper look at the man, frowning to himself.
Having investigated the woman's background, he was aware of her circumstances and knew whom she had married and who was in her family.
Her husband was a cripple, and this man was likely her uncle, known for being stronger than the average person.
But no matter how strong he was, even double that of an ordinary man, how could he handle the numerous ruffians from the streets?
Fuzhen seemed to sense the middle-aged man's gaze and sternly returned the look. His expression wasn't fierce, but it gave off a chilling sensation, as if being watched by a ferocious beast, sending a shiver down the spine.
Master Luo, feeling a sense of apprehension, immediately averted his gaze.
Suddenly, the magistrate on the dais sternly asked, "Did you destroy the medicinal fields of the Fuku family in Lingshui Village?"
The accused shrank their necks and confessed without denial.
"And what about the robbery on the road? Were you also involved in that?"
Since they had worn masks during the robbery, they had vehemently denied involvement yesterday, but today they admitted it.
The crowd in the courtroom was in an uproar, unable to understand why those who had denied the charges yesterday were changing their testimonies today.
The public was naturally unaware.
The previous night, the magistrate had personally visited the jail, bluntly stating that he knew they were responsible for the crimes. The reason he hadn't pursued the matter deeply in court was merely because Master Luo still had his uses.
However, with today's retrial, he intended to reveal the truth of the case to the public. If they cooperated, their punishment would be reduced; if they insisted on protecting someone, they would end up spending a long time in jail.
The accused were very aware of the situation.
Offending Master Luo was nothing compared to displeasing the magistrate.
The magistrate then asked Yuying and others to come forward to identify the accused: "Are these the men who stopped you on the road yesterday and tried to take you away?"
Yuying already knew they were the culprits, but she carefully identified them again before confirming, "Your Honor, they are indeed the ones. Not only did they try to force me to go with them, but they also threatened that I should no longer engage in the medicinal herb trade, claiming I had offended someone I shouldn’t have."
Initially believed to be a simple case of medicinal field vandalism, the crowd was astounded to learn that these men had also committed such acts. The uproar outside the court, especially from the villagers of Lingshui, called for the magistrate to harshly punish these thieves and uncover the mastermind for severe retribution.
Hearing the clamor outside, Master Luo, despite some worries, was confident that the ruffians wouldn't dare implicate him, so he maintained his composed demeanor.
"So, who exactly instructed you to do these things?" the magistrate asked calmly and methodically.
After swallowing nervously, the ruffians unanimously turned their heads towards Master Luo, standing in the courtyard.
Master Luo's heart sank, and his face paled suddenly when he heard the street thugs name him, "Master Luo of Luo Medical Hall," as the instigator.
Master Luo urgently protested, "Your Honor, don’t listen to their absurd claims! As a law-abiding citizen, I would never commit such acts!"
The ruffians hastily confessed, "Master Luo instructed us to teach a lesson to a woman with four dark spots on her face, surnamed Yu. He told us to detain her for a few days, then threaten her to quit the medicinal herb trade. If successful, he promised to clear the debts we owed to his medical hall."
"Your Honor, don’t believe their lies! They are clearly framing me..."
"Silence!"
The magistrate suddenly interjected in a stern voice, cutting off Master Luo's words.
Master Luo's face turned slightly pale.
The magistrate shifted his gaze back to the criminals, "Why did you owe debts?"
One of the ruffians answered, "Your Honor, we often get into scrapes and injuries. Whenever we sought treatment at the medical hall, Master Luo never charged us upfront, instead keeping a tab. Over time, it accumulated into a substantial medical debt."
What they called scrapes and injuries were, more bluntly, the results of fights and brawls.
The magistrate asked, "Why did you extend credit to them? Did they threaten any of the doctors at your medical hall?"
One of the ruffians hurriedly replied, "Master Luo's younger brother works as a clerk in the yamen, holding a public office. Even with ten times our courage, we wouldn’t dare threaten the medical hall!"
The magistrate summoned Master Luo to the court and interrogated, "Why did you offer them credit?"
Swallowing nervously, Master Luo responded, "Luo Medical Hall practices charity and benevolence, therefore..."
As soon as he spoke, there was immediate derision from outside.
"Nonsense! It's Ji's Medical Hall that's known for charity, not your Luo Medical Hall. What does it have to do with you?"
"Exactly, Luo Medical Hall is notorious for overcharging. They never negotiate or reduce prices even if you beg. And you claim benevolence? Ridiculous!"
"I always wondered why those street thugs were so subservient to Master Luo. Turns out they weren’t just trying to curry favor; they were essentially bought as his henchmen!"
These harsh words pierced Master Luo's ears, turning his face deathly pale. Despite the cold weather, his back was drenched in cold sweat.
No matter how much Master Luo denied it, he couldn’t explain why he offered credit, nor the unusually close relationship with the street thugs.
Master Luo tried to argue, but the magistrate had already summoned the heads of Li, Zheng, and Ji's Medical Halls to the court to testify.
Seeing these people, Master Luo looked incredulous.
What shocked him most was the presence of Masters Li and Zheng in the court.
All three testified that Master Luo was indeed troubled by the competition from Mrs. Yu in the medicinal herb trade, fearing it might lower prices, and thus harbored thoughts of teaching her a lesson.
Master Luo realized then that these two were sacrificing him to save themselves!
Fury surged in Master Luo as he pointed at the two heads of the medical halls and shouted, "Your Honor, Master Zheng and Master Li are also conspirators. Don't let them escape your justice!"
His accusation indirectly served as an admission of his own guilt.
Masters Zheng and Li retorted angrily, "Master Luo, do not falsely accuse us. Although we had grievances against that woman, as physicians, how could we stoop to such despicable means!?"
The gavel struck heavily, "All evidence points to you, Master Luo, and yet you dare to accuse the witnesses. What audacity you have!"
As Master Luo attempted to plead for mercy, the magistrate promptly ordered him to compensate Mrs. Yu with five hundred wen, sentenced him to thirty strokes of the cane, and remanded him for further sentencing.
With the case settled, they were free to leave.
Yuying walked out of the yamen in a contemplative mood.
She felt as if everything had been prearranged, and she was merely going through the motions.
Outside the yamen, villagers came forward to congratulate her.
After the villagers had finished their congratulations, Fukuwei said, "I need to stay in Jade County for another night."
Then, turning to Yuying, he added, "Liuniang, stay with me."
After yesterday's incident and offending those ruffians, Fuzhen still felt uneasy about their safety: "We will stay as well."
Considering Uncle He and Aunt He's age, Yuying suggested they rest and return in the afternoon. She also proposed checking for ox carts heading towards Lingshui Village that they could join for part of the journey.
Tired as they were, Uncle He and Aunt He agreed.
Just as they were about to leave, they encountered the heads of the medical halls exiting the yamen.
In the courtroom, although Yuying had played a minor role, she had observed everything clearly.
The two men accused by Master Luo were very likely involved as well.
Masters Li and Zheng, meeting the woman's gaze, guiltily looked away.
Only Master Ji, with his hair graying and over fifty years old, hesitated for a moment before approaching. He faced the woman with a calm and upright demeanor.
"Whether Mrs. Yu believes me or not, I, Master Ji, was not involved in this matter."
Yuying paused for a moment, recalling the crowd's comments about Ji's Medical Hall being charitable. She believed the elder's words to a great extent and nodded respectfully towards him.
After speaking, Master Ji turned and left.
Watching the elder depart, the group returned to the inn.
Since her elder brother and his family were also staying in Jade County for the night, they booked an additional room, allowing Uncle He and Aunt He to rest as well.
After having their meal, they all retired to their rooms.
Aunt He, Yuying, and her sister-in-law shared one room, while the men stayed in another.
Unable to sleep due to a mind full of doubts, Yuying let her sister-in-law and Aunt He have the bed.
Needing to catch an early ox cart at the city gate, Uncle He, Aunt He, He Dalaong, and Song Sanlang rested for only half an hour before departing.
As they left, Fuzhen asked Song Sanlang to help guard the Fuku family's home for the night.
After seeing everyone off and with little rest themselves, the couple returned to their separate rooms.
Yuying, helping Fukuwei into his room, asked, "How much does it cost to stay one night in the inn?"
Fukuwei initially thought she would ask about the court proceedings, but realizing her concern was about the money, he smiled resignedly, "Thirty-five wen per night."
Yuying's estimate was close. She said, "My elder brother and sister-in-law have been troubled on my account. When we return, I must repay them the money."
After closing the room door, Yuying asked, "Was what happened in court today arranged by you?"
Fukuwei rose from his wheelchair and sat down in a chair beside the table, "Sort of."
Yuying, puzzled, pressed, "What do you mean by 'sort of'?"
Fukuwei, pouring tea, explained, "In fact, the magistrate understood everything. Yesterday was just an act of feigning ignorance. After the trial, I had a friend visit the yamen and exert influence, insisting that the magistrate thoroughly investigate and inevitably imprison Master Luo."
Concluding, he pushed a cup of tea towards Yuying.
Yuying pondered his words and asked with anticipation, "Is your friend a high-ranking official?"
Fukuwei shook his head lightly, "You might be disappointed. His status is just enough to influence the magistrate."
Hearing this, Yuying wasn't too disappointed, reasoning that if he were a high-ranking official, Fukuwei wouldn't need to hide the fact that he had regained the use of his legs.
Fukuwei continued, "I knew two others were likely involved. Thinking of your desire to establish yourself in Jade County, and needing their assistance, I visited them yesterday as a patient, convincing them to testify in court and sacrifice Master Luo to save themselves."
Yuying, taken aback, asked, "How did you know they were involved?"
Fukuwei smiled, "It was a guess, with fifty percent certainty. I tested each medical hall in Jade County. Except for Master Ji of Ji's Medical Hall, who scolded me and refused to stoop to such low tactics, the others, although enraged, were more evasive and had me thrown out. Their reactions suggested they were very likely involved."
After hearing Fukuwei's story, Yuying was surprised by all he had done in just one day.
Amidst her surprise, she caught the essence of his earlier statement, "You said about establishing a foothold - what foothold are you talking about?"
Fukuwei smiled at her, "You are more capable than those unethical heads of medical halls. If they can run their own halls, why can’t you?"
His words resonated with Yuying, sinking deep into her heart.
She mulled it over and said, "Opening a medical hall isn't timely now. Firstly, I haven't passed the medical practitioner's exam, and secondly, I don’t have enough funds to even consider it."
"Whenever you decide to open your medical hall, having leverage is always beneficial."
In any place, when one medical hall falls, another rises.
"Instead of undermining Zheng's and Li's medical halls, it's better to keep them around.
Besides, the magistrate is unlikely to be willing to uproot all these medical halls at once.
Discussing these medical halls, Yuying, after some thought, shared her idea: "They are afraid the market's erratic pricing of medicine is being disrupted, so they wanted to use me to intimidate the public. This approach is undoubtedly underhanded, but the price chaos will eventually harm me too. So, I've thought of a way to mitigate the losses."
Pausing for a moment, Yuying continued, "Since you now have connections, see if you can suggest this to the magistrate. If it's not feasible, then forget it, and we'll think of another solution."
Fukuwei nodded slightly, indicating for her to go on.
Yuying then outlined the basic principles of market resource allocation she had learned in school.
"Why not let the government regulate the market prices of medicinal herbs? Competition is acceptable, but malicious price undercutting isn't. Also, the price range for medical halls purchasing herbs should be set within a certain limit to prevent them from being too low."
Yuying remembered how her basket full of herbs fetched only three wen, while medical halls might resell them for seventy to eighty, or even a hundred wen. Such unscrupulousness; how could the herb-gathering public continue to supply herbs to these halls?
Fukuwei, tapping the rim of his cup, pondered for a moment before asking, "What benefit does the government get from this?"
Yuying looked at him and said, "Remember when you told me about sharing profits with the government to persuade Zhao, the medicine merchant, to buy herbs in Jade County? And that it's better to earn less and send them together to Cangwu County?"
Hearing this, Fukuwei understood her intention: "You mean, let the government sell Jade County's herbs externally and then earn the difference from what the merchants make?"
Yuying nodded lightly.
Fukuwei fell silent.
Seeing him quiet for a long time, Yuying, with dry lips, tentatively asked, "Is my idea too bold, thinking of doing business with the government?"
After a pause, she added, "It's just a suggestion. If you think it's impractical, let's pretend I never mentioned it."
Fukuwei, however, shook his head earnestly: "No, I think it's a good idea. The difference the merchants make would be enough to interest the magistrate. Besides, with the yamen of Jade County being so poor, how could they refuse a chance to make money?"
Continuing, Fukuwei shared his plan for the evening: "I'm staying tonight because my friend has introduced me to the magistrate. I'm going to work as a secretary in the yamen. If successful, I'll propose this suggestion."
Hearing that Fukuwei was going to become a secretary in the yamen, Yuying was momentarily stunned.
She realized that according to the original story, it was around this time that Fukuwei also started working as a secretary in the yamen.
Ultimately, the events were returning to their expected course.
Chapter 65
Yuying, her elder brother, and sister-in-law were rushing to reach Jade County before the court session began.
Knowing that the court session for a retrial was to be held today, some villagers from Lingshui left their daily work to crowd around and watch the proceedings in Jade County.
Uncle He and Aunt He also went together.
On the way to Jade County, Yuying saw villagers from her own village and expressed her confusion, "Just for the love of excitement, they shouldn't abandon their work to watch."
Aunt He, walking beside her, whispered an explanation, "Almost everyone in Lingshui Village is a criminal or descendant of one, shunned and looked down upon by neighboring villages. Although relations within our village are not great, if outsiders bully someone from our village, we will surely stand with our own. This way, outsiders won't dare to bully us too openly."
Hearing this, Yuying turned to look at the villagers, some of whom she had only exchanged a few words with, and others she barely recognized.
Indeed, in any era, whether it's just a village or a family, despite internal strife, people come together as one when facing external threats.
After a long journey, Yu Ying, who had never walked such a distance, finally arrived in Yu County, almost too exhausted to stand.
She first reached the inn where Fu Wei was staying.
Inside the inn, seeing Fu Wei frequently looking towards the entrance, Song Sanlang thought he was waiting for his elder brother and said, "Your elder brother and the others should arrive soon. The court’s retrial today will surely go smoothly, so don't worry, Second Brother Fu."
Fu Wei responded with a faint "Hmm," nodding absentmindedly.
After a long wait, Fu Wei finally saw the figure he had thought about all night. A brief spark of light appeared in his calm, indifferent eyes, and a slight smile formed on his lips, bringing a hint of joy to his face.
Yu Ying, meeting Fu Wei's smile, smiled back at him. However, the hour and a half journey had left her utterly exhausted. After a brief smile, she slumped into a chair at their table, gasping for breath without uttering a word.
Seeing her pale and drained, Fu Wei quickly poured her a cup of tea, softly saying, "Take a sip of water first to catch your breath."
Yu Ying took the tea and gulped it down.
After she emptied the cup, Fu Wei continued to pour more tea for her.
After drinking three cups of tea and resting for a moment, the exhausted Yu Ying finally caught her breath.
She was incredibly tired, having never walked such a long distance without a break before, almost losing her sense of direction from fatigue.
Fu Zhen and his wife were only slightly tired, making Yu Ying seem as if she had never experienced hardship.
Knowing that Yu Ying had been brought up in comfort as the daughter of a prominent doctor, Fu Zhen and his wife had no doubts about her state.
Inside the inn, people were eagerly discussing the day’s retrial, with some wondering, "The case was already decided, why a retrial?"
Amidst various speculations, Yu Ying, after regaining her strength, looked at Fu Wei and asked, "When does the court session start?"
Fu Wei answered, "At the hour of Si, right now is the perfect time to go."
Hearing this, Yu Ying took a deep breath, then stood up with the support of the table, "Let's head to the county office now, then."
About an hour and a half later, they arrived outside the county office.
By this time, the outside of the county office was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, including some from Lingshui Village.
After reporting their arrival to the court officers, the officers went to inform the Magistrate.
Once everyone was assembled, the court session for the retrial commenced.
Those not directly involved in the case watched from outside the court, while those related to the case waited in the courtyard to be called into the courtroom.
Yu Ying, along with her elder brother and sister-in-law, and those who had caught the thieves yesterday, Song Sanlang and He Dalong, waited in the courtyard, while Fu Wei stayed outside the courtroom.
The onlookers outside, seeing Fu Wei seated in the plain palanquin, observed him curiously.
Fu Wei might have minded such attention before, but now he was completely indifferent.
Perhaps due to his unusual plain palanquin and his striking appearance, the crowd parted ways for him, allowing him unobstructed access to the front.
Uncle He and Auntie He, blocked outside: ……
Among those waiting in the courtyard, besides those Yu Ying knew, there was also an unfamiliar middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man sported a goatee and was meticulously groomed, dressed in a clean, plain robe, exuding an air of integrity.
However, with his hands clasped behind his back and his chin always held high, his gaze towards Yu Ying, who had just entered the office, was arrogant and disdainful.
This was a proud and conceited man, reminding Yu Ying of some colleagues she had encountered at work who, despite their skills, always judged others.
Yu Ying sensed a professional air about this middle-aged man.
If she was not mistaken, this man must be Manager Luo, the one the thieves had mentioned.
Faced with someone who had plotted against her, Yu Ying showed no cordiality, indifferently turning her gaze away.
The woman's cold demeanor caused Master Luo to frown in displeasure.
After all, she was just a woman. What could she possibly endure?
The call to session drew Master Luo's focus away, as he concentrated on addressing the unexpected developments of the day.
The magistrate of Jade County, dressed in official robes, entered from the back hall and took his seat in the courtroom.
Yuying was genuinely surprised to see the magistrate of Jade County.
Contrary to expectations, the magistrate was neither an old man nor a frail scholar.
Instead, he was a robust man in his thirties, with a broad back and strong build...
The sharp rap of the gavel snapped Yuying out of her surprise, and she stopped pondering why the magistrate had such a presence.
The magistrate called for silence and then announced, "Regarding the intentional destruction of Lingshui Village's medicinal fields, this court discovered some doubts after yesterday's verdict, hence the retrial today."
He then ordered the thieves from yesterday to be brought in.
These thieves, already beaten by Fuzhen and others, and having received ten lashes yesterday, appeared half-dead.
As they were dragged into the courtroom, seeing Master Luo, they averted their eyes guiltily. The sight of the man who had brutally beaten them brought back painful memories, turning their faces even paler with panic.
Observing the miserable state of these men, Master Luo was inwardly shocked, wondering if the magistrate had tortured them.
But he soon realized, seeing their panicked faces upon noticing the muscular man beside the woman, that it wasn't the magistrate but this man who had beaten them.
Master Luo then took a proper look at the man, frowning to himself.
Having investigated the woman's background, he was aware of her circumstances and knew whom she had married and who was in her family.
Her husband was a cripple, and this man was likely her uncle, known for being stronger than the average person.
But no matter how strong he was, even double that of an ordinary man, how could he handle the numerous ruffians from the streets?
Fuzhen seemed to sense the middle-aged man's gaze and sternly returned the look. His expression wasn't fierce, but it gave off a chilling sensation, as if being watched by a ferocious beast, sending a shiver down the spine.
Master Luo, feeling a sense of apprehension, immediately averted his gaze.
Suddenly, the magistrate on the dais sternly asked, "Did you destroy the medicinal fields of the Fuku family in Lingshui Village?"
The accused shrank their necks and confessed without denial.
"And what about the robbery on the road? Were you also involved in that?"
Since they had worn masks during the robbery, they had vehemently denied involvement yesterday, but today they admitted it.
The crowd in the courtroom was in an uproar, unable to understand why those who had denied the charges yesterday were changing their testimonies today.
The public was naturally unaware.
The previous night, the magistrate had personally visited the jail, bluntly stating that he knew they were responsible for the crimes. The reason he hadn't pursued the matter deeply in court was merely because Master Luo still had his uses.
However, with today's retrial, he intended to reveal the truth of the case to the public. If they cooperated, their punishment would be reduced; if they insisted on protecting someone, they would end up spending a long time in jail.
The accused were very aware of the situation.
Offending Master Luo was nothing compared to displeasing the magistrate.
The magistrate then asked Yuying and others to come forward to identify the accused: "Are these the men who stopped you on the road yesterday and tried to take you away?"
Yuying already knew they were the culprits, but she carefully identified them again before confirming, "Your Honor, they are indeed the ones. Not only did they try to force me to go with them, but they also threatened that I should no longer engage in the medicinal herb trade, claiming I had offended someone I shouldn’t have."
Initially believed to be a simple case of medicinal field vandalism, the crowd was astounded to learn that these men had also committed such acts. The uproar outside the court, especially from the villagers of Lingshui, called for the magistrate to harshly punish these thieves and uncover the mastermind for severe retribution.
Hearing the clamor outside, Master Luo, despite some worries, was confident that the ruffians wouldn't dare implicate him, so he maintained his composed demeanor.
"So, who exactly instructed you to do these things?" the magistrate asked calmly and methodically.
After swallowing nervously, the ruffians unanimously turned their heads towards Master Luo, standing in the courtyard.
Master Luo's heart sank, and his face paled suddenly when he heard the street thugs name him, "Master Luo of Luo Medical Hall," as the instigator.
Master Luo urgently protested, "Your Honor, don’t listen to their absurd claims! As a law-abiding citizen, I would never commit such acts!"
The ruffians hastily confessed, "Master Luo instructed us to teach a lesson to a woman with four dark spots on her face, surnamed Yu. He told us to detain her for a few days, then threaten her to quit the medicinal herb trade. If successful, he promised to clear the debts we owed to his medical hall."
"Your Honor, don’t believe their lies! They are clearly framing me..."
"Silence!"
The magistrate suddenly interjected in a stern voice, cutting off Master Luo's words.
Master Luo's face turned slightly pale.
The magistrate shifted his gaze back to the criminals, "Why did you owe debts?"
One of the ruffians answered, "Your Honor, we often get into scrapes and injuries. Whenever we sought treatment at the medical hall, Master Luo never charged us upfront, instead keeping a tab. Over time, it accumulated into a substantial medical debt."
What they called scrapes and injuries were, more bluntly, the results of fights and brawls.
The magistrate asked, "Why did you extend credit to them? Did they threaten any of the doctors at your medical hall?"
One of the ruffians hurriedly replied, "Master Luo's younger brother works as a clerk in the yamen, holding a public office. Even with ten times our courage, we wouldn’t dare threaten the medical hall!"
The magistrate summoned Master Luo to the court and interrogated, "Why did you offer them credit?"
Swallowing nervously, Master Luo responded, "Luo Medical Hall practices charity and benevolence, therefore..."
As soon as he spoke, there was immediate derision from outside.
"Nonsense! It's Ji's Medical Hall that's known for charity, not your Luo Medical Hall. What does it have to do with you?"
"Exactly, Luo Medical Hall is notorious for overcharging. They never negotiate or reduce prices even if you beg. And you claim benevolence? Ridiculous!"
"I always wondered why those street thugs were so subservient to Master Luo. Turns out they weren’t just trying to curry favor; they were essentially bought as his henchmen!"
These harsh words pierced Master Luo's ears, turning his face deathly pale. Despite the cold weather, his back was drenched in cold sweat.
No matter how much Master Luo denied it, he couldn’t explain why he offered credit, nor the unusually close relationship with the street thugs.
Master Luo tried to argue, but the magistrate had already summoned the heads of Li, Zheng, and Ji's Medical Halls to the court to testify.
Seeing these people, Master Luo looked incredulous.
What shocked him most was the presence of Masters Li and Zheng in the court.
All three testified that Master Luo was indeed troubled by the competition from Mrs. Yu in the medicinal herb trade, fearing it might lower prices, and thus harbored thoughts of teaching her a lesson.
Master Luo realized then that these two were sacrificing him to save themselves!
Fury surged in Master Luo as he pointed at the two heads of the medical halls and shouted, "Your Honor, Master Zheng and Master Li are also conspirators. Don't let them escape your justice!"
His accusation indirectly served as an admission of his own guilt.
Masters Zheng and Li retorted angrily, "Master Luo, do not falsely accuse us. Although we had grievances against that woman, as physicians, how could we stoop to such despicable means!?"
The gavel struck heavily, "All evidence points to you, Master Luo, and yet you dare to accuse the witnesses. What audacity you have!"
As Master Luo attempted to plead for mercy, the magistrate promptly ordered him to compensate Mrs. Yu with five hundred wen, sentenced him to thirty strokes of the cane, and remanded him for further sentencing.
With the case settled, they were free to leave.
Yuying walked out of the yamen in a contemplative mood.
She felt as if everything had been prearranged, and she was merely going through the motions.
Outside the yamen, villagers came forward to congratulate her.
After the villagers had finished their congratulations, Fukuwei said, "I need to stay in Jade County for another night."
Then, turning to Yuying, he added, "Liuniang, stay with me."
After yesterday's incident and offending those ruffians, Fuzhen still felt uneasy about their safety: "We will stay as well."
Considering Uncle He and Aunt He's age, Yuying suggested they rest and return in the afternoon. She also proposed checking for ox carts heading towards Lingshui Village that they could join for part of the journey.
Tired as they were, Uncle He and Aunt He agreed.
Just as they were about to leave, they encountered the heads of the medical halls exiting the yamen.
In the courtroom, although Yuying had played a minor role, she had observed everything clearly.
The two men accused by Master Luo were very likely involved as well.
Masters Li and Zheng, meeting the woman's gaze, guiltily looked away.
Only Master Ji, with his hair graying and over fifty years old, hesitated for a moment before approaching. He faced the woman with a calm and upright demeanor.
"Whether Mrs. Yu believes me or not, I, Master Ji, was not involved in this matter."
Yuying paused for a moment, recalling the crowd's comments about Ji's Medical Hall being charitable. She believed the elder's words to a great extent and nodded respectfully towards him.
After speaking, Master Ji turned and left.
Watching the elder depart, the group returned to the inn.
Since her elder brother and his family were also staying in Jade County for the night, they booked an additional room, allowing Uncle He and Aunt He to rest as well.
After having their meal, they all retired to their rooms.
Aunt He, Yuying, and her sister-in-law shared one room, while the men stayed in another.
Unable to sleep due to a mind full of doubts, Yuying let her sister-in-law and Aunt He have the bed.
Needing to catch an early ox cart at the city gate, Uncle He, Aunt He, He Dalaong, and Song Sanlang rested for only half an hour before departing.
As they left, Fuzhen asked Song Sanlang to help guard the Fuku family's home for the night.
After seeing everyone off and with little rest themselves, the couple returned to their separate rooms.
Yuying, helping Fukuwei into his room, asked, "How much does it cost to stay one night in the inn?"
Fukuwei initially thought she would ask about the court proceedings, but realizing her concern was about the money, he smiled resignedly, "Thirty-five wen per night."
Yuying's estimate was close. She said, "My elder brother and sister-in-law have been troubled on my account. When we return, I must repay them the money."
After closing the room door, Yuying asked, "Was what happened in court today arranged by you?"
Fukuwei rose from his wheelchair and sat down in a chair beside the table, "Sort of."
Yuying, puzzled, pressed, "What do you mean by 'sort of'?"
Fukuwei, pouring tea, explained, "In fact, the magistrate understood everything. Yesterday was just an act of feigning ignorance. After the trial, I had a friend visit the yamen and exert influence, insisting that the magistrate thoroughly investigate and inevitably imprison Master Luo."
Concluding, he pushed a cup of tea towards Yuying.
Yuying pondered his words and asked with anticipation, "Is your friend a high-ranking official?"
Fukuwei shook his head lightly, "You might be disappointed. His status is just enough to influence the magistrate."
Hearing this, Yuying wasn't too disappointed, reasoning that if he were a high-ranking official, Fukuwei wouldn't need to hide the fact that he had regained the use of his legs.
Fukuwei continued, "I knew two others were likely involved. Thinking of your desire to establish yourself in Jade County, and needing their assistance, I visited them yesterday as a patient, convincing them to testify in court and sacrifice Master Luo to save themselves."
Yuying, taken aback, asked, "How did you know they were involved?"
Fukuwei smiled, "It was a guess, with fifty percent certainty. I tested each medical hall in Jade County. Except for Master Ji of Ji's Medical Hall, who scolded me and refused to stoop to such low tactics, the others, although enraged, were more evasive and had me thrown out. Their reactions suggested they were very likely involved."
After hearing Fukuwei's story, Yuying was surprised by all he had done in just one day.
Amidst her surprise, she caught the essence of his earlier statement, "You said about establishing a foothold - what foothold are you talking about?"
Fukuwei smiled at her, "You are more capable than those unethical heads of medical halls. If they can run their own halls, why can’t you?"
His words resonated with Yuying, sinking deep into her heart.
She mulled it over and said, "Opening a medical hall isn't timely now. Firstly, I haven't passed the medical practitioner's exam, and secondly, I don’t have enough funds to even consider it."
"Whenever you decide to open your medical hall, having leverage is always beneficial."
In any place, when one medical hall falls, another rises.
"Instead of undermining Zheng's and Li's medical halls, it's better to keep them around.
Besides, the magistrate is unlikely to be willing to uproot all these medical halls at once.
Discussing these medical halls, Yuying, after some thought, shared her idea: "They are afraid the market's erratic pricing of medicine is being disrupted, so they wanted to use me to intimidate the public. This approach is undoubtedly underhanded, but the price chaos will eventually harm me too. So, I've thought of a way to mitigate the losses."
Pausing for a moment, Yuying continued, "Since you now have connections, see if you can suggest this to the magistrate. If it's not feasible, then forget it, and we'll think of another solution."
Fukuwei nodded slightly, indicating for her to go on.
Yuying then outlined the basic principles of market resource allocation she had learned in school.
"Why not let the government regulate the market prices of medicinal herbs? Competition is acceptable, but malicious price undercutting isn't. Also, the price range for medical halls purchasing herbs should be set within a certain limit to prevent them from being too low."
Yuying remembered how her basket full of herbs fetched only three wen, while medical halls might resell them for seventy to eighty, or even a hundred wen. Such unscrupulousness; how could the herb-gathering public continue to supply herbs to these halls?
Fukuwei, tapping the rim of his cup, pondered for a moment before asking, "What benefit does the government get from this?"
Yuying looked at him and said, "Remember when you told me about sharing profits with the government to persuade Zhao, the medicine merchant, to buy herbs in Jade County? And that it's better to earn less and send them together to Cangwu County?"
Hearing this, Fukuwei understood her intention: "You mean, let the government sell Jade County's herbs externally and then earn the difference from what the merchants make?"
Yuying nodded lightly.
Fukuwei fell silent.
Seeing him quiet for a long time, Yuying, with dry lips, tentatively asked, "Is my idea too bold, thinking of doing business with the government?"
After a pause, she added, "It's just a suggestion. If you think it's impractical, let's pretend I never mentioned it."
Fukuwei, however, shook his head earnestly: "No, I think it's a good idea. The difference the merchants make would be enough to interest the magistrate. Besides, with the yamen of Jade County being so poor, how could they refuse a chance to make money?"
Continuing, Fukuwei shared his plan for the evening: "I'm staying tonight because my friend has introduced me to the magistrate. I'm going to work as a secretary in the yamen. If successful, I'll propose this suggestion."
Hearing that Fukuwei was going to become a secretary in the yamen, Yuying was momentarily stunned.
She realized that according to the original story, it was around this time that Fukuwei also started working as a secretary in the yamen.
Ultimately, the events were returning to their expected course.
