Seeing Hao Ming pinned to the ground by Ruan Zijian, beaten without any ability to fight back, and Fang Yuchun's shouts going unheard, Magistrate Wang had to call in more yamen runners to drag away the young dandies.
Although Hao Ming had brought two to thirty officials, the young dandies were outnumbered, but their reputation as dandies wasn't for nothing.
Fighting and brawling were their essential skills; it wasn't difficult for one to handle four or five, especially since they were skilled at dirty tricks and underhanded tactics.
The two to thirty civil officials were left dazed and confused, none able to gain the upper hand against the young dandies. The ground was littered with scattered official hats and boots.
The female members of the Hao family had their voices hoarse from crying. The old madam pointed at the young dandies, who were being restrained by the yamen runners but still wriggling, and wanted to say something to Fang Yuchun but couldn't make a sound.
Hao Ming clutched his abdomen tightly, his body hunched over on the ground, twitching. It took him a long time to recover.
An official who was close to Hao Ming stepped forward and helped him up. Among all the young dandies, Ruan Zijian had struck the hardest, so Hao Ming was the most severely injured.
While others weren't beaten as badly as Hao Ming, it didn't mean they fared well. After all, the young dandies were all masters of their craft.
What was most infuriating was that the young dandies were surprisingly clever; they didn't hit people in the face!
Despite the pain contorting their features, one couldn't tell where they were injured!
The officials' anger intensified, and they adamantly declared these young dandies to be Xie Jiang's accomplices, demanding their imprisonment!
Several yamen runners could barely restrain the raging young dandies. Upon hearing the officials' demands for punishment, the young dandies struggled and wriggled even more fiercely, shouting that they would kill these scoundrels who twisted right and wrong!
What was the point of keeping these corrupt officials who couldn't distinguish black from white and right from wrong!
Were they to bring disaster to the country and people! Their actions were ridding the people of harm! Eliminating traitors for the nation!
These scoundrels slandering the Marquis of Nanhai was damaging the Emperor's reputation, damaging the reputation of Da Yu! The ones who should be punished the most are these incompetent officials!
The two sides argued incessantly.
It wasn't until the young dandies were dragged into the prefectural office.
The argument only stopped once separated by a door.
The officials present were almost bursting with anger! The dignity of scholars was paramount; how could these young dandies defile it!
"Lord Fang and all the lords of Shuntian Prefecture are also civil officials. If these young dandies from military families curse us civil officials, doesn't that mean they are cursing all of you as well!"
"These dandies who constantly stir up trouble follow Xie Jiang's lead. It's said that when Xie Jiang was causing trouble at the Hao manor with his men, these dandies were also present? Why didn't Lord Fang arrest them earlier?"
"These dandies must be in league with Xie Jiang! While the main culprit's sins are unforgivable, there's no reason to let the accomplices off lightly!"
Not let them off.
Fang Yuchun stated that he definitely wouldn't let them off.
Weren't they all arrested? They would all be thrown into prison later to reform themselves.
As if.
Their respective parents would come to Shuntian Prefecture to demand their release later.
Just like Hao Wei back then.
If these people had enough backbone, they should learn from Xie Jiang and go confront them themselves to vent their anger.
The officials present were somewhat satisfied with Lord Fang's attitude.
These dandies caused trouble all over the capital every day, but how often were they truly imprisoned?
The officials felt that Lord Fang was showing solidarity!
Fang Yuchun couldn't be bothered to argue with them further. With so many mouths, he found it tiring. It was already this late, and he hadn't had lunch yet. The sun was shining, and his vision was filled with dazzling stars.
Hao Ming recovered and began to accuse Xie Jiang of his crimes again, demanding punishment for Xie Jiang!
It was unclear where Ruan Zijian had injured him, but his back was so stiff that any slight increase in his voice caused him to sweat from pain.
The officials also remembered Xie Jiang, the chief culprit, and launched into another long, impassioned speech.
Fang Yuchun nodded along with their words, as if persuaded by everyone, and seized every opportunity to express his hatred for Xie Jiang! The Hao family was truly pitiable!
He would conduct a serious trial later and ensure Xie Jiang's crimes were sealed! Or perhaps execution in the autumn?
Execute! Execute! Execute!
A menace like Xie Jiang must be executed!
All the officials unanimously agreed.
However, Fang Yuchun seemed to be in a difficult position. Marquis Nanhai, Xie Jiang, had a special status. He was merely the Prefect of Shuntian, without the authority to kill a Marquis.
To execute Xie Jiang, the Emperor himself must issue the order.
Or perhaps, like this.
Fang Yuchun had a suggestion.
He would write a memorial to report the matter to the Emperor, and the colleagues present might as well sign it and press their handprints, so that the Emperor would know everyone's determination.
Ah, this?
The officials present couldn't help but hesitate.
Fang Yuchun wasn't truly intending to do this, so he wouldn't force them, merely pretending not to see their hesitation.
Or perhaps, they could endure some trouble and accompany him to Yuanyou Palace? To meet the Emperor and expose all of Xie Jiang's evil deeds and atrocities.
The officials hesitated even more.
It was precisely because they knew the Emperor's leanings were towards Xie Jiang that they had come today to support the Hao family.
Whether it was signing and pressing handprints or meeting the Emperor, forcing the Emperor to punish Xie Jiang would surely enrage him.
Xie Jiang was detestable, but he hadn't offended them personally. To anger the Emperor for the sake of the Hao family…
In recent years, the Emperor had been somewhat obsessed with cultivation, and he had killed twenty to thirty officials in one go, an act he had done more than once.
The few officials who had been at the forefront, appearing the most indignant, suddenly had their feet greased and quietly retreated to the back of the crowd.
Fang Yuchun looked up at the sun. It seemed a bit too dazzling. His eyes were blurry and couldn't see clearly.
The Marquis of Nanhai had indeed caused too much trouble today, and such matters absolutely could not be tolerated. He deeply sympathized with the Hao family's plight and was deeply angered by the Marquis of Nanhai's actions!
The sooner this matter was resolved, the better! He also wanted to give the Hao family an explanation as soon as possible. Old Master Hao was of such advanced age; he should be recuperating after being frightened. What was the point of lingering on the street?
Therefore, Fang Yuchun announced that he was going to the palace, and he wanted to seek an audience with the Emperor immediately.
The officials present, fearing that Fang Yuchun would drag them along to seek an audience, became as still as if they had been struck by acupuncture. No one spoke passionately or righteously anymore.
Fang Yuchun took two steps forward and approached Old Master Hao again, earnestly asking him to rest in the prefectural office.
Everything would be decided after he returned from Yuanyou Palace and received the Emperor's decree.
Old Master Hao had been in the officialdom for decades and had encountered all sorts of situations.
Fang Yuchun's clear intention to gloss over the matter was evident.
Old Master Hao didn't even need to open his eyes to know what Fang Yuchun was planning.
He was shifting the pressure onto Shuntian Prefecture, and Fang Yuchun was going to send that pressure into Yuanyou Palace!
Fang Yuchun agreed with all their accusations of Xie Jiang's atrocities and evil deeds. Even if they wanted Xie Jiang to be cut into a thousand pieces, Fang Yuchun would agree to do it.
Fang Yuchun spoke a lot of useless nonsense.
To summarize, Fang Yuchun expressed his deep sorrow and sympathy for the Hao family, but he couldn't make the decision.
Old Master Hao didn't even want to lift his eyelids, unwilling to look at Fang Yuchun's hypocritical face.
Fang Yuchun was merely going through the motions. In front of so many people, he instructed his subordinates and then hurried towards the imperial palace.
Meanwhile.
The young dandies, who had been dragged into Shuntian Prefecture, were cursing and grumbling. When they discovered that the yamen runners were taking them to prison, the young dandies became happy.