The staff gave Grandpa Ji no room for illusion, stating directly, "We will investigate the matter thoroughly and will not wrong any good person. You just have to wait."
Since Grandpa Ji had already confessed to his crimes, all that awaited him was imprisonment and trial. As for who else would join him, that was not something he could control.
Although Ji Tong refused to admit to his wrongdoing, he, as a suspect, also had to be detained for investigation.
Their business was undoubtedly high-risk, yet for years, their influence in Country Y had prevented any problems. They never expected that their downfall would ultimately be at the hands of their own family.
Finally, it was his turn to experience the feeling of being at the mercy of others, a carving knife in their hand and himself as the fish. In the Ji family, only he and his grandson could make decisions when facing trouble; Ji Qun was an utterly useless wastrel.
Now, the only one not detained was Ji Qun. The grandfather and grandson shared a feeling of impending disaster.
What was happening on their side was entirely clear to Zhan Mohan. To prevent any possibility of the Ji family recovering, he deliberately leaked the news. Within a few days, the authorities dispatched a special inspection team to take over the investigation.
With the matter being taken over by the higher-ups, the possibility of favoritism and corruption was completely eliminated. The Ji family had been in this business for a long time, and it involved cross-border transactions requiring negotiations between two countries, so the investigation was bound to be lengthy.
Wei Yumeng only saw Zhan Mohan leaving early and returning late, often appearing exhausted. Several times, he had fallen asleep on the sofa while they were talking.
She only knew that he was preparing to bring down the Ji family. As for how far the process had progressed or if it was going smoothly, Zhan Mohan did not disclose to her. His only reply to everything was, "With me here, you don't need to worry."
The Ji family was not easy to deal with, and Wei Yumeng could not truly relax. However, seeing her husband so tired, she couldn't bear to ask more questions and disturb his rest. She could only wait for the final resolution.
The matter proceeded smoothly. After all, the Ji family's illicit activities left a clear trail. The inspection team had professional methods, and their mistakes were exposed.
Soon, the day of the public trial arrived. Given the severity of such cases and that Pengcheng was a crucial hub for the Ji family's business network, the public needed an explanation.
The three generations of the Ji family were brought to the witness stand. Grandpa Ji appeared a dozen years older, his clouded eyes scanning everyone in the audience.
When he saw the Zhan family, his eyes still held resentment. He thought, if it weren't for the Zhan family back then, Ji Tong wouldn't have been imprisoned, and he wouldn't have taken him abroad to seek refuge to save his grandson, thus falling into this industry.
He had been in this line of work for so many years. The Ji family had grown from obscurity into a vast empire. Despite having few descendants, they possessed wealth beyond generations' needs.
Now that they had fallen into such a state, it all traced back to Zhan Mohan. If he had been a little more lenient back then, the subsequent events would never have happened. He wouldn't have to be nailed to the pillar of shame at ninety years old, cursed by the world.
Seeing his hateful gaze, Zhan Mohan sat down without concern. As the saying goes, heavenly calamities can be endured, but self-inflicted ones are unforgivable. Regardless of what happened, the choices were always their own. Since they made their choices, they should bear the consequences.
The Ji family's downfall was solely due to his failure in raising his children, not because others were not forgiving.
Grandpa Ji clearly knew he could no longer escape responsibility. Thus, during the trial, he took all the blame and did not offer a single defense. Consequently, he was sentenced to death on the spot.
However, when Ji Qun was questioned, he became agitated, "These matters have nothing to do with him; he knows nothing. My son has been timid and fearful since childhood. He would never dare to participate in such things. These were all my doing. He truly never participated."
Even though the three of them stood there today, facing judgment, it was all because of Ji Qun's cowardice and betrayal. But when disaster struck, as a father, he still wanted to spread his wings and protect his child.
He wanted to exonerate his son and grandson. After all, he was already one foot in the grave. Dying a year earlier or later made no difference. To die in place of these two was his lifelong wish, something he would gladly embrace.
Hearing his father's fervent defense, Ji Qun wept bitterly, "I truly never participated. Since you are upholding the principles of fairness and justice, please let me go!"
His desperate plea chilled his father, who had just tried to take all the blame. It turned out that in his son's eyes, his life was more important than his father's, and to survive, his father could be cast aside like worn-out shoes.
"Ji Qun, I truly look down on you."
Having witnessed the entire process, Ji Tong directly cursed his father in such a setting. The Ji family's decline was significantly due to Ji Qun.
If it weren't for the staff watching him, he would have rushed forward and beaten Ji Qun soundly.
"Quiet!"
This was not a marketplace, so such shouting was not permitted.
"Ji Qun, although not a key player in the smuggling transactions, you participated many times and deeply understood the methods. Ji Tong, you were the mastermind of the smuggling transactions. All three of you are guilty and sentenced to death."
Only when this verdict was delivered did the entire matter finally conclude.
Wei Yumeng's heart finally settled back into her chest. She turned and looked at the dark circles under Zhan Mohan's eyes, her hand tenderly holding her husband's. "Mohan, you've worked hard."
Zhan Mohan's other large hand covered her fair skin. "I said I would avenge you. This outcome today is most satisfying."
From the moment Wei Yumeng and Mu Linjing were kidnapped to the Ji family mansion, he had resolved to eradicate the Ji family. Only when the Ji family collapsed would they no longer have to live in constant fear within the country.
Today, these scourges were finally eliminated, and they could no longer threaten the safety of his wife and children.
Wei Yumeng leaned her head on his shoulder, her heart filled with emotion. "It's a pity that Linjing didn't get to see such a satisfying ending. If she were here, she would surely feel very gratified."
Zhan Mohan comforted her, "This case was publicly tried. No matter where Mu Linjing is, she will know about this news. Although you didn't see it, imagine her far away, experiencing the same feelings as you."