enjoyebooks Chapter 1338: Stirring Up Trouble
Chapter 1338: Stirring Up Trouble
Luo Wu finished speaking and no longer paid attention to the shocked Clerk Wang, but looked at those impersonating government officials and said, "I am Squad Leader Luo from Tianfu County, and I am well-acquainted with the Great Chu Criminal Law. You are first-time offenders and were coerced by Manager Feng. As long as you identify him, you can make amends for your crimes and receive a light sentence."
The impersonating government officials were both surprised and delighted upon hearing this, quickly nodding to express their willingness to point out Manager Feng and won’t be swayed by Clerk Wang.
But their joy was premature. In Great Chu, severe penalties are used; even with a light sentence, impersonating government officials results in death. The only difference is instant execution versus working two years as hard labor in the mines before dying.
Gu Jin’an saw them agree and removed the cloth gag from their mouths, letting them orally testify, while he quickly documented the confessions. Soon, he had the confessions written and had them press their handprints.
Clerk Wang, seeing this, looked ashen, and pleaded with Gu Jin’an, expressing willingness to make amends for his crimes, but it was too late. Gu Jin’an ignored him.
"Qiu Lang, keep an eye on them; we will go to the county government in the afternoon and ask Lord County Magistrate to take us to the government office to seek justice!" Gu Jin’an was determined not to handle the case in the county; he wanted a big scene!
He wanted the nearby prefectures to know.
He wanted to win and let everyone know that the Gu Family is not to be trifled with!
To let those wanting to seize his family’s assets know that if they want to conspire against the Gu Family, they must be prepared to lose their lives. Even if you are an official, if you dare provoke the Gu Family, Gu Jin’an will have you pay with your life!
He also instructed Zezi: "Prepare a carriage and invite Elder Wu and Doctor Du to accompany us and care for those poisoned."
After speaking, he called on Luo Wu, Gu Dashan, and Third Grandpa, and went to the next room to get Mrs. Cui and the others.
Mrs. Cui and the others were stunned, not expecting Gu Jin’an to have such a terrifying side, but Gu Jin’an said, "Mother, Big Sister, this matter isn’t simple. That Assistant Judge Jia must have thought of seizing our family assets, so I cannot be soft-hearted. I must make a big deal of it while we have the evidence and reason."
He continued, "I’ll take Brother Cheng to the prefecture in the afternoon; we can’t make it to Xiao Yu’s wedding banquet. I’ll go to the Qin household shortly and talk to them face-to-face about this."
Brother Cheng was anxious: "Big Brother, are we going to the prefecture in the afternoon? Can’t it be after the wedding banquet tomorrow?"
He had promised Second Sister that he would see her this afternoon.
"No." Gu Jin’an took the opportunity to teach: "Chai Sanfu and the others are poisoned; nobody knows how long they can hold out. We must conclude the case before they die. Moreover, such matters shouldn’t be dragged out; we must act swiftly to prevent the enemy from reacting and losing the initiative."
Brother Cheng: "I understand now, but why do I have to go?"
I’m the youngest, still just a kid.
Gu Jin’an glared at him and said, "Didn’t I tell you before? Big Brother will go to take the civil service exam in the future. If he passes, he’ll become an official elsewhere. You need to step up for the family."
Kid, did you really think you could eat, drink and have fun forever? I’m painstakingly teaching you hands-on not for your enjoyment, but to help me.
Gu Dashan heard this and felt deeply ashamed, promising: "Good Brother An, rest assured, I’ll be tougher in the future and won’t let anyone bully our family."
Gu Jin’an wanted just that assurance and said, "With Dad saying this, I can be more at ease when venturing out in the future."
Gu Dashan, hearing this, felt even more guilty and mimicked Gu Jin’an’s interrogation of Manager Feng, adopting a stern face and said, "Good Brother An, rest assured, Dad won’t let any evildoers hurt our family!"
Gu Jin’an, hearing this, finally smiled: "Hmm, I trust Dad."
He then looked at Mrs. Cui and Gu Jinxiu: "Mother, Big Sister, did you learn something? Remember, confronting evildoers requires fearlessness; when they see you’re even crazier than them, they’ll be afraid."
Both Mrs. Cui and Gu Jinxiu were a bit bewildered, then quickly nodded: "Mm-hmm, we understand."
Gu Jin’an heard this and let out a breath, his heart shouting once more: In my next life, I want to be born as the youngest child!
Being the eldest responsible for the family’s welfare is truly exhausting, and it’s wearing him out.
"Let’s go home. Dad, you handle arranging the escort; Mother, you pack our bags. I’ll take Brother Cheng to say goodbye to the Qin family." Gu Jin’an said, leading the family back home, walking with determination, embodying the demeanor of an eldest son.
However, before he could head to the Qin family, Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang arrived.
Gu Jin’an saw them, was taken aback, and hurriedly asked Third Grandma: "Third Grandma, is it bad luck for a new bride to return to her maiden home on the second day?"
He didn’t believe in these superstitions, but as a brother, he hoped his little sister could have a happy life.
Third Grandma hadn’t experienced a bride returning the next day either, but said: "Since she’s with her husband, it should be fine, no problem."
She then invited Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang inside.
Gu Jinli said, "Big Brother, how is the matter with Manager Feng? You can tell us truthfully, don’t hide anything."
She added, "I’ve got food simmering in the pot; after you tell us, I need to go back and prepare the meal for Madam Guo."
Gu Jin’an heard this and quickly recounted all the events.
Qin San Lang, hearing this, said, "Get Young Master Dou involved; he’s capable of raising a fuss. He recently helped Dou Ou Bank earn some credit. Thus, with this in mind, Lord Magistrate will certainly support and help reach the Tong’an Prefecture Magistrate to arrest Assistant Judge Jia."
According to Xiao Yu, Good Brother An likes Miss Ouyang, so it’s better not to always ask Master Ouyang for help, and this matter is best suited to Dou Ke.
Gu Jin’an nodded in agreement: "Good, that’s how we’ll do it."
Looking at Gu Jinli, he apologized, "Xiao Yu, I’m sorry, but Big Brother and Brother Cheng will miss your wedding banquet."
Xiao Yu is the third child in the family, and as her siblings, they should take care of her. However, from childhood to adulthood, Xiao Yu has always protected herself and even shielded them. The family’s prosperity is also thanks to her.
She’s done so much for the family, yet for such an important event as her wedding return, her elder brother won’t be present.
Gu Jinli smiled: "Big Brother, we’re family, why say such nonsense? It’s no problem to miss the event. You’ve been good enough to me, and we won’t miss this meal. There’ll be plenty of opportunity to dine together in the future."
Gu Jin’an, hearing this, looked at her smiling face, feeling emotional... Compared to Big Sister and Brother Cheng, he hasn’t been great to Xiao Yu, trusting her so much because she’s strong while worrying over Big Sister and Brother Cheng being too weak.
But among the siblings in the family, the one who’s suffered the most is Xiao Yu, enduring hardships from the Old Gu Family yet still jumping up, crying, and cursing them.
Recalling all these events from childhood, Gu Jin’an didn’t know what to say, suddenly stood up, and deeply bowed to Gu Jinli: "Xiao Yu, thank you, Big Brother... be safe, you must return!"
Gu Jinli was stunned, wanting to avoid it but ultimately accepted Gu Jin’an’s bow. She knew how heavy a burden Big Brother felt, and if she didn’t accept it, he would feel guilty forever.
"Big Brother, don’t worry. We will return safely and bring back two nephews for you. Better save up your red envelopes, or you’ll be embarrassed when they arrive and you’re penniless." Gu Jinli laughed, making Gu Jin’an tear up, while Brother Cheng teased her: "Second Sister, thick-skinned, talking about nephews right after marriage."
Gu Jinli pulled on the tuft of Brother Cheng’s hair and said, "Brat, dare to tease me? I’m a married woman now; be careful that I have my husband beat you!"
The family laughed and joked for a while, and Gu Jin’an afterward instructed Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang before letting them return home.
In the afternoon, Gu Jin’an, after completing preparations, was about to escort Manager Feng and the others out, along with Manager Lin, to make a grand complaint.