Chapter 135: Chapter 75 Hill Seedlings and Ravine Pines_2
"Hah, human life really is worth less than grass."
...
At this moment, Official Hu was vigorously arguing with someone over whether human life was indeed cheaper than grass.
In the dilapidated straw hut of the fish market, a group of scholars squeezed at the door, confronting the government officers carrying swords.
After the case at the Tribute Court, the officers from the Trial Court swiftly took over the Wu Family residence. The mourning decorations inside the house had not yet been completely removed, and the white lanterns were rudely torn down by the officers, leaving the place in disarray and emphasizing the desolation of the now empty house.
Official Hu was so angry that his face turned red, and he barred the door with his arms, refusing to let the officers leave, "You are pushing people too far!"
Scholar Wu had died, having poisoned himself in the dormitory at the Tribute Court, because he realized after more than a decade of effort that there existed another ladder, invisible to commoners, within the examination system. Disheartened, he took his own life with poison. Regardless of his claims that someone had poisoned him in the examination hall, his final answer sheet provided the answer.
Commoners had been bullied to this extent, even losing their lives, yet the high-and-mighty lords could not see the suffering of the people, perceiving only the slander of "provoking trouble and disturbing the examination site." Even in death, he could not find peace as his home was being treated in such a vandalized manner.
If Missus Wu hadn’t passed away, wouldn’t this sick old mother also be implicated? Every step the officers took inside the broken house felt like a trampling on the hearts of the common people.
Although Official Hu was usually pedantic, he was always kind-hearted and had been good friends with Wu Youcai. Seeing what had become of Wu, he was already grieving and angry. Now beyond control, he led a group of scholars at the door of the Wu Family, demanding justice for Wu Youcai.
The government officers looked down on the group of scholars with contempt, "Step aside. If you continue to disrupt the Imperial Court’s duties, be careful that we arrest you all together!"
"We will not move aside!"
Losing patience, an officer violently pushed the scholar in front of him. The scholar, frail in appearance, stumbled to the ground after the rough shove.
In normal circumstances, a group of commoners would naturally avoid clashing with government officers. However, perhaps it was because the straw hut was too dilapidated, the hanging white banners too glaring, or maybe due to the gathering of scholars, a surge of righteousness and impulse altogether made the situation much more volatile. Official Hu, feeling hot-blooded, momentarily forgot to protect himself and hurled himself at the officers.
"This is too much, I’ll fight you—"
...
Official Hu led a group of scholars in a fight against the officers at the temple entrance, and when the news reached Renxin Medical Hall, Du Changqing too was taken aback.
"Old Hu fighting? With his old bones, he can curse at people, but how could he possibly fight them?"
"It’s true," Ah Cheng said with the corner of his mouth turned up, "A lot of folks from West Street have gone to help. Now it’s a complete mess."
Initially, it was just the scholars disputing with the officers over the matter of Wu Youcai. The officers’ arrogant actions and their contemptuous language towards the commoners incensed the neighbors from West Street who had come to help mediate the situation. Somehow, a brawl broke out between the officers and the commoners.
You wouldn’t believe it, but those folks from West Street might not look impressive, yet each had their own advantage in a fight, and they didn’t let the officers get the best of them. However, if things continue this way, punishment from the Imperial Court is likely unavoidable.
Ah Cheng asked, "Boss, should we go help out?"
Without responding, Du Changqing looked towards Lu Tong, who was at the medicine cabinet.
Xia Rongrong and her servant had gone out, and Lu Tong was checking the newly received medicinal herbs. The medical hall was cooler in the autumn than the hot period earlier, and her calm demeanor made the surrounding atmosphere even more chilling.
Du Changqing sent Ah Cheng to sweep the front entrance then approached Lu Tong in a few steps, staring at her as he spoke in a low voice, "The matter with Scholar Wu, it was your doing, wasn’t it?"
Lu Tong paused in her actions and looked up at him.
His voice even lower, unable to mask a certain restlessness in his eyes, he pressed, "That day you went to his house to deliver the funeral money, and you were there for a long time... And he died of poison. Did you give him the poison?"
Lu Tong quietly watched him, and after a long while, she nodded slightly.
Du Changqing, on the surface casual and unreliable, was unusually meticulous and astute in some aspects.
"He’s mad, and you’re mad too!" Du Changqing could hardly keep his voice down and, worried that Ah Cheng might hear, quickly stooped lower, glaring at Lu Tong through gritted teeth, "He asked you for poison, and you just gave it to him. You think you were helping him, but you’ve implicated yourself too!"
Lu Tong was taken aback.