Chapter 97

Chapter 97

Meng Shuping was utterly stunned. "Whoa... is this actually bribery? No, no, I must control my expression and not betray my inexperience!"

"But I’m genuinely curious, how much is this house even worth? A property in the capital must surely fetch at least a few thousand taels, right?"

Hong Da smirked to himself. He had always maintained, who doesn’t love money? He’d thought Meng Shuping was truly incorruptible, but it turned out he was no different from the rest!

However, the memory of Meng Shuping’s refusal to his invitation yesterday made Hong Da’s blood boil. This Meng Shuping was merely a seventh-rank petty official, yet he put on such airs! So arrogant—sooner or later, he’d face his downfall!

Masking his disdain, Hong Da spoke with an air of confidence, "Vice Director Meng probably isn’t aware, but given this residence’s location and the quality of its construction, it couldn't be acquired for less than six thousand taels. Please accept this property, Vice Director Meng. I have no other demands, only that you handle my son’s case fairly and ensure he isn't wrongly accused."

Meng Shuping repeatedly declined, "I couldn't possibly, I couldn't possibly."

Hong Da assumed Meng Shuping was merely being polite. Feeling reassured, he was about to speak when he heard Meng Shuping’s inner thoughts: "Is he worried I’ll deliberately target his son? There’s no need, truly no need. Even if I don’t target him, his son’s crimes are already undeniable!"

"Ah, does he even know what his son has done? He claims his son was deceived by his subordinates—I think it’s more likely he’s the one being deceived by his son!"

"Hahahaha, I wonder how his son would feel if he knew his father was spending money to have him convicted!"

Hong Da nearly choked. Was this fellow truly so obtuse? Couldn’t he grasp the implied meaning? When did he ever suggest Meng Shuping should convict his son? He wanted Meng Shuping to pin the blame on the servants!

Taking a deep breath, he stated, "Vice Director Meng, let me be frank. Whether my son committed those acts or not is irrelevant. What matters is that the final verdict must attribute the blame to the servants."

Meng Shuping suddenly understood. "Oh, oh, I get it now! He wants me to shift all the blame onto the servants to exonerate his son! Not to criticize him, but couldn't he just state it plainly? Why all the circumlocution? Do I have to solve a riddle just to accept a bribe?"

Hong Da couldn’t help but roll his eyes. If anyone was peculiar, it was Meng Shuping! Was it really necessary to spell things out so explicitly? Everyone else understood with a mere hint—only this fellow was so utterly clueless!

Suppressing his exasperation, he asked Meng Shuping, "Does Vice Director Meng understand now?"

Meng Shuping nodded honestly, "I understand."

"So he’s trying to buy me off, to make me pervert justice? No wonder he spoke so casually about money the other day. Look, he can afford to pay so much in compensation and still has enough left for a bribe—he must have even more money stashed away!"

"With that much wealth, his son still dares to exploit the common people? So heartless—just wait, I’ll bleed him dry!"

Meng Shuping adopted a dissatisfied expression. "That's all you're offering?"

Hong Da was incensed. "How much more does Vice Director Meng desire?"

A house worth over six thousand taels was already a substantial sum—this fellow was pushing his luck!

Having never engaged in such dealings before, Meng Shuping nervously avoided Hong Da’s gaze and mumbled, "Well, more is always better. At least fifty thousand taels?"

"Fifty thousand taels?" Hong Da stared at Meng Shuping in disbelief. "Meng Shuping, aren’t you being overly avaricious? It’s merely a small favor—is it truly necessary to demand so much?"

Meng Shuping asked with feigned innocence, "Is it too much?"

"I think he’s just stingy! He’s unwilling to part with fifty thousand taels to save his son? Is this even his biological son? I’ll just tell his son that General Hong would rather keep the money than secure his acquittal!"

Hong Da almost erupted in curses. He had encountered greedy individuals, but never one so insatiable! Had Meng Shuping never seen real money in his life?

Coldly, he stated, "Vice Director Meng, a house worth six thousand taels is already quite generous. If you’re not satisfied, I can add a few thousand more, but fifty thousand taels is excessive! Don’t forget how meager your annual salary is!"

Reminded by Hong Da, Meng Shuping realized, "Oh, right!"

"My annual salary is only three to four hundred taels. He thinks six thousand taels is enough to make me risk losing my position and going to jail for him? He’s so calculating—he might as well become an accountant!"

He said unhappily, "If you’re unwilling, just say so. Why mock me? I’m not forcing you."

"Ultimately, fifty thousand taels is more important to him than his son? How can he blame others for his own parsimony? How dare he mock my low salary? Is having money so impressive? It’s not like he earned it honestly—he extorted it from the common people!"

"Fine, if you won’t give it, then don’t. I don’t care if his son suffers. I’ll just go report him to the Emperor, saying he tried to incite me to deceive the throne. Let’s see how angry the Emperor gets!"

Hong Da was furious. Even if the deal fell through, there should still be civility. Was it necessary to slander him before the Emperor? He had never encountered such a shameless individual!

Gritting his teeth, he declared, "Fine! You’ll get it! But I didn’t bring that much silver today. I'll have it sent over later!"

Hmph, did Meng Shuping think his money was so easily acquired? Even if the bribery scandal came to light, he would ensure Meng Shuping lost his position!

Fuming, he stuffed the deed back into his sleeve and stood up to leave. But just as he rose, Meng Shuping said, "Hey, why are you taking the deed back?"

Hong Da was so enraged he nearly choked. He slammed the deed back onto the table. "I'm leaving!"

So greedy—he hoped Meng would choke on it!

Only after Hong Da had completely departed did Meng Shuping pick up the deed and examine it carefully. Honestly, this property was indeed quite valuable.

Once he finished his work, he would definitely inform the Emperor that General Hong possessed abundant wealth—we could squeeze out even more compensation!

After handling a few more matters, Meng Shuping prepared to proceed to the interrogation hall to preside over Hong Yucheng’s case.

Soon, Hong Yucheng was brought into the interrogation hall. Though he was now a prisoner, having heard from his father that the presiding official had been bribed, Hong Yucheng remained relatively calm.

Seeing Hong Yucheng brought in, Meng Shuping struck the gavel. "Hong Yucheng, do you confess to the crimes of forcibly occupying homes and abducting common girls?"

Hong Yucheng sneered, "Why should I confess to something I didn’t do?"

Where did this stutterer come from? He can’t even speak properly, yet he’s presiding over a case? His father was exaggerating—how could someone like this be a threat?

Meng Shuping found it utterly baffling. "What, is he mocking me? Has imprisonment made him foolish? He’s already a prisoner—what is he so proud of? Proud of being in jail? Proud of the gravity of his crimes?"

He said displeased, "Fine, resisting means harsh punishment—whip him!"

"He enjoys whipping others, right? Let him experience the taste of being whipped himself!"

Hong Yucheng looked up at Meng Shuping in shock. "You’re going to whip me? Did I hear that correctly?"

And why did this fellow’s voice sound so familiar?

Meng Shuping looked at him puzzled, "No!"

"Are his ears not functioning properly? Do I need to repeat myself?"

Seeing the guards actually approaching to whip him, Hong Yucheng angrily exclaimed, "Don’t forget what you promised my father! Breaking your word—aren’t you afraid my father will come after you?"

Meng Shuping looked blank, "What did I promise your father?"

"I only asked him for money—I never promised to secure his acquittal! Why are they taking it for granted? Besides, he hasn’t even given me the money yet. Trying to get something for nothing? There’s no such good deal!"

Hong Yucheng panicked. "Didn’t my father say he’d give you money? If you won’t help me, how can you subject me to torture?"

Meng Shuping was exasperated. "What torture? This is legitimate punishment! His whipping people was torture; how dare he ask for my help after committing such acts? Does he have no shame?"

He struck the gavel again. "Slandering an imperial official—an additional charge!"

Hong Yucheng cried out as the whip struck him, grimacing in pain. "You corrupt official! You tricked us! When my father finds out, you'll pay dearly for this!"

Meng Shuping glanced at him. "Oh, still mouthing off? Should I dip the whip in saltwater? Ouch... I hear that really stings!"

Hong Yucheng flinched and instantly fell silent, finally realizing that his circumstances had drastically changed. In the Ministry of Justice, even if Meng Shuping beat him to death, no one would come to his aid.

Seeing Hong Yucheng quiet down, Meng Shuping found it odd. "Huh? Why did he suddenly stop making a fuss? How am I supposed to find a reason to continue hitting him now? Honestly, since he already knows I intend to hit him, couldn’t he just be more cooperative? Does he have to oppose me like this?"

Hong Yucheng felt like he might cough up blood. This fellow was dead set on beating him and still expected him to cooperate? How utterly shameless!

Seeing that another strike would likely break his skin, Hong Yucheng angrily shouted, "Is this any way to conduct an interrogation? Even if you believe I’m guilty, shouldn’t you present evidence?"

"Y-yes, there is," Meng Shuping pulled out a stack of confessions. "Here it is. If you want witnesses, th-there are those too. I’ll call them in after you’ve been whipped."

Hong Yucheng was fuming. "If you can interrogate directly, why do you insist on beating me?"

Meng Shuping seemed almost sheepish. "Sorry, I just don’t like you and wanted to hit you."

Seeing Meng Shuping’s apologetic expression, Hong Yucheng was so angry he almost fainted. Is this an apology or a provocation?

He struggled violently, but every movement sent pain shooting through his body. "Hiss... You corrupt official! What do you actually want?"

He had no personal grudge against this Meng Shuping. Even if the man was carrying out his duties impartially, was it necessary to treat him like this?

Meng Shuping politely asked, "I’d like you to confess. Could you cooperate, please?"

"If you don’t cooperate, then I’ll have to resort to torture. Honestly, I don't feel bad at all about torturing someone like him—why couldn’t he just be a decent person?"

The clerks and guards nearby looked at Meng Shuping with admiration. This Lord Meng was truly something else! He seemed polite, yet his methods were so ruthless. Good thing they hadn’t crossed him.

Knowing full well that Meng Shuping intended to torment him, and that refusing to confess would only mean more suffering, Hong Yucheng gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I confess, alright?"