Chapter 151 The Tong Family

Chapter 151: The Tong Family

"Tong An? Who is that?" Meng Wan asked in confusion.

"Some time ago, the County Magistrate sentenced a man for assault and battery with a weapon—that man was my son, Tong An. But he's innocent!" The woman's heart was filled with bitterness and anger. For others, the worst they might face is property damage or assault, which could be settled with a fine or a short jail sentence.

But her son had once snatched away that wretched girl, and that family only had that one child. They had made a huge fuss back then, and after a few years of peace, they were now reviving the case.

According to the laws of the Yu Dynasty, acts of forcible rape and sexual assault were to be severely punished.

Normally, a xiaoge had low status, and when officials encountered such cases where the person had already been taken into the household, it was often a gray area, and most would turn a blind eye.

But Song Tingzhou, who was determined to crack down on the Tong family, handed down a harsh sentence: a hundred strokes of the cane and three years of penal servitude.

This penal servitude was not simply three years in the county jail; the convict would be sent to another province to perform hard labor such as smelting iron or making salt. Where they were sent was uncertain, and countless people died during such servitude—far worse than being in the county jail.

Tong An had been pampered at home since childhood. How could he endure the life of hard labor? He'd likely die within three years.

When it wasn't their own child, the clan members would only offer empty platitudes. Only the mother was frantic with worry.

The woman looked around and said softly to Meng Wan, "This is not the place to talk. Please, Meng Fulang, come to my lodgings so we can talk properly." She invited Meng Wan into her carriage.

Meng Wan immediately became alert. Playing a role was one thing, but dealing with these local landlords required caution. They were used to lording over their own little domains, completely different from the refined yet scheming nobles of the capital.

He instinctively stepped back, avoiding the woman's outstretched hand.

Seeing his caution, the woman's smile indeed faded. "I have treated you with such sincerity, Fulang, yet you're still wary of me."

Her tone shifted. "Since that's the case, I have nothing more to say. If you refuse to come with me, I'll have to force you to come!"

Her last words seemed to be a signal. Several large men suddenly jumped out of a carriage on the street and rushed straight toward Meng Wan.

But faster than them was Xue Sheng, who had been guarding Meng Wan all along. He swiftly took down the first man charging at him and shouted, "Quick, someone! Someone's trying to harm the Fulang!"

Instantly, hurried footsteps were heard from the surrounding streets—it was Qin Jiao and his soldiers, who had been secretly following Meng Wan.

Even if the Tong family's men were strong, they were no match for Qin Jiao and Xue Sheng, let alone the dozen soldiers who surrounded them.

The Tong woman never expected such a show of force. She immediately changed her tune: "Meng Fulang, it's all a misunderstanding. I just wanted to invite you over for a chat, nothing else."

Meng Wan couldn't be bothered to keep up the act. He could even guess which branch of the Tong family this woman belonged to. "Bringing so many people to invite me? I really am honored by Third Madam Tong's attention. Openly attacking the family of an Imperial Official—even if unsuccessful—is still to be treated as attempted murder. Third Madam Tong is longing to see your son, aren't you? You'll soon be able to join him in prison."

The Tong woman knew nothing about the law. She said incredulously, "I didn't even touch a hair on your head! How is that attempted murder?"

Meng Wan kindly explained: "Third Madam Tong, you're so confused! Who is my husband? The current Heshan County Magistrate! You came at me with so many men in such a threatening manner—everyone saw it. If I say you intended to kill me, my husband can sentence you for attempted murder. What's wrong with that?"

Third Madam Tong, used to throwing her weight around in her little corner, was no match for Meng Wan's sharp tongue. Trembling with rage, she pointed at him, "You... how dare you manipulate Lord Song into acting so foolishly! I'll go to the capital and appeal to the emperor!"

Meng Wan couldn't help but laugh. He stood with one hand on his hip, facing Third Madam Tong, his eyes sharp and fierce. "Appeal to the emperor? Lingnan is far from the capital, Shengjing. And your family is just a minor wealthy clan—do you really think you can contend with officials? To tell you the truth, my family has connections in Shengjing with Count Fuen's household and the Vice Minister of Rites. If you dare go to Shengjing, I promise you won't make it back!"

Third Madam Tong, a head shorter than him, looked up at him with tearful eyes, her face full of fear, like a delicate woman bullied by a tyrant.

"You... I..."

Qin Jiao, waiting nearby, said impatiently, "What's all this nonsense? Take them to the county office for Lord Song to interrogate!" He had grown tired of Lingnan's dreariness—eating and sleeping were uncomfortable—but the only good thing was that no one was watching him anymore, so he said whatever he wanted.

Back at the county office, Song Tingzhou had arrested another batch of the Tong family, including the legitimate Third Madam Tong. Following Meng Wan's hint, he indeed sentenced her for attempted murder, and the other men as accomplices.

Chief Clerk Qiao hesitated before speaking, "My lord, acting this way might make the Tong family even more determined to retaliate."

Song Tingzhou didn't look up. "Have you finished the task I assigned?"

"Ah, this subordinate finished and came to present it to you." With that question, Chief Clerk Qiao immediately busied himself with his official duties.

---

Meanwhile, at the Tong family estate in Luyun Town, nearly all the Tong clan members had gathered. Of course, the poorer branches of the family hadn't been called to the town.

"Even the third brother's wife has been thrown in jail! What does this Song want?" a middle-aged man burst out angrily.

Another man frowned and said, "Why don't we just send some gold and silver to get everyone back?"

"Second Brother, you just returned and don't know the situation. We've tried every method, but the new magistrate is impervious to bribes."

Tong Laoer thought his brothers were useless. "Claiming to be an incorruptible official? You've seen that before. If money doesn't work, use land; if land doesn't work, send women or xiaoge. Do I need to teach you this?" The methods they'd used to control the previous two magistrates were just these few—if they couldn't find leverage, they'd create it; if the official was honest, they'd make him corrupt.

The other brothers exchanged glances and smiled bitterly. "Second Brother, you really don't know. This Song has fortified the county town like an iron fortress, and his husband is no pushover either. Otherwise, how would Third Brother's wife have been caught so quickly?"

Tong Laoer said impatiently, "If this won't work and that won't work, then just stay cooped up at home. It's not like the bailiffs can arrest you for staying home, right?"

Tong Laosan said urgently, "We're not thinking about how to protect ourselves, but how to get them out!" His wife and son were both in prison!

Tong Laowu said, "It was Third Sister-in-law's impatience. She walked right into the trap, so of course she got caught."

Tong Laosan sneered, "Fifth Brother can be calm, of course, since no one from your family is in prison."

Tong Laowu fell silent, afraid of stirring up trouble, since only he and Second Brother had no one imprisoned.

"Big Brother, say something. Stone is also locked up in the county jail. Are you just going to ignore him?" Tong Laosan was truly anxious—his son had been sentenced to three years of hard labor, and his wife for attempted murder. Apart from Tong Ping, the fourth brother, his family had the harshest sentences.

The eldest Tong brother, who had been silent, sat at the head of the table with the clan chief. He was nearly sixty, and Broker Tong was his illegitimate younger son.

"This Lord Song is deeply cunning, clearly not like the previous magistrates. Put away your old tricks, or Third Sister-in-law's fate will be an example to you." After Tong Laoda spoke, the other brothers were silent.

Finally, Tong Laosan couldn't help asking, "So we just do nothing?"

Tong Laoda thought for a moment and slowly said, "Second Brother is right about one thing: he must want something. Tomorrow, the clan chief and I will go to the county office in person. If everything can still be settled amicably, we'll let the Tong family accept some losses—consider it a lesson for the younger generation."

He raised his dragon-headed cane and brought it down with a heavy thud. "But if he insists on a fight to the death with our Tong family, we'll be ready."

The Tong family had deep roots here. They wouldn't be easily toppled just because a few clan members had been arrested.

The next morning, Tong Laoda indeed set out with the clan chief and the second and fifth brothers, traveling light to Heshan County.

When their carriage stopped at the yamen gate, before they could ask the guards to announce them to Song Tingzhou, Xue Sheng stopped them.

"Are you the Tong family? My Fulang wishes to see you."

Tong Laoer asked warily, "Your Fulang is?"

Xue Sheng pointed expressionlessly at the yamen. "My Fulang's surname is Meng."

By now, the Tong family had gathered information on Song Tingzhou's household. As soon as they heard "Meng," they understood.

Tong Laowu didn't take a mere fulang seriously. "We came to see Lord Song about official matters. We don't have time to see Meng Fulang right now."

Xue Sheng's expression didn't change. It seemed he had anticipated this response. "My Fulang said that if you insist on seeing my lord first, it will be handled as official business. But if you come to him, it will be to do business with him. The choice is yours."

What did that mean?

Tong Laowu had no idea what was going on.

It was Tong Laoda who exchanged a glance with the clan leader and made an immediate decision: "Please, young master, take us to meet Meng Fulang."

Meng Wan was waiting for them in his newly purchased residence. Qin Jiao had been assigned to protect Meng Wan that day and was also stationed in the hall.

Chu Ci stood behind him with nothing to do, absentmindedly thinking of going to the medical clinic to hang out with the children of the Miao family. Although it would involve helping them dry herbs and do chores, it was still better than sitting here idly with Meng Wan.

Noticing that the child's mind was elsewhere, Meng Wan tossed him two packs of dried fruit. "Go share these with the little ones from the Tian family later."

After all, he was still a child. Chu Ci was won over by the two packs of dried fruit, a flicker of joy in his eyes.

Meng Wan found it amusing and pulled out a small, moon-white pouch from his bosom. It was embroidered with light pink lotus flowers, and when he lifted it, a jingling sound could be heard from inside.

He handed the pouch to Chu Ci. "Take it. It's the pouch your brother Bi Yun embroidered for you. I put some silver pieces inside. Buy whatever you want."

Chu Ci stared at the pouch in surprise. After a long moment, he slowly made a hand gesture, "For me?"

Having spent time together, Meng Wan could now understand some simple sign language. He chuckled lightly, "It's for you. I noticed other children have pocket money—even little Bai Wei has two copper coins. Take it. If it's not enough, come to me for more."

Chu Ci took the pouch from his hands and clutched it tightly. He raised one hand but then lowered it, and finally turned around silently to avoid looking at Meng Wan.

He opened the small pouch and found a dozen or so small silver pieces of similar size, along with seven or eight loose copper coins. One of the silver pieces was even shaped like a peanut.

Chu Ci pinched the little peanut and played with it in his hand, then secretly glanced sideways at Meng Wan’s delicate and handsome profile.

If only the person who brought him into this world had been Meng Wan... how wonderful that would be...

Chu Ci’s eyes dimmed for a moment. But then he dismissed the thought. He's too good. I don't deserve to be his child.

Qin Jiao watched his changing expressions and couldn't help but tease him. "Oh, moved to tears by a few silver pieces? When I was a child, gold lockets and jade pendants were just toys to me."

Chu Ci shot him a cold glare, his eyes rimmed with red.

Meng Wan didn't notice the exchange behind him, because Xue Sheng had already led the Tong family members in.

Contrary to what the Tong family had expected, Meng Wan greeted them warmly as soon as he saw them. "Oh, Uncle Tong, I've long heard so much about you! And this must be the clan leader of the Tong family? Please, have a seat."

"And you two—Second Uncle Tong and Fifth Uncle Tong? Please sit down. The house hasn't been fixed up yet, so forgive the poor hospitality. Bear with me, dear uncles."

He immediately started making small talk, which left the Tong family members puzzled. Even Qin Jiao stopped teasing the child, thoughtfully observing how a young master like Meng Wan had taken control of the situation in just one encounter.

At this moment, the Tong family felt both shock and fear. Apart from the third brother, who had made two trips to the county town, no one else had ever met Meng Wan in the county. How could this young master be so well-connected as to accurately identify each of their identities?

Such methods were indeed impressive and intimidating. No wonder the third brother's wife had been thrown in jail after just one encounter.

Seeing this, Tong Laoda abandoned the idea of having his two younger brothers test the waters first and got straight to the point. "Meng Fulang, my third sister-in-law is an ignorant country woman. A few days ago, she offended you. We are here to apologize on her behalf."

Meng Wan smiled pleasantly, appearing magnanimous and forgiving. "Oh, it's nothing! The third lady was just worried about her son. I can understand."

The Tong family members couldn't believe Meng Wan was so easygoing. Tong Laowu tentatively asked, "Then could you ask the County Magistrate to release my third sister-in-law?"

The members of the Tong family who had been imprisoned were all of the younger generation, and they were indeed guilty of crimes. The arrest of Tong San's wife was a fifty-fifty matter: half due to her actions being truly inappropriate, and the other half because although she had committed an offense, Meng Wan had not suffered any actual harm. Technically, it could only be considered an affray, not deserving of a prison sentence.

However, as Meng Wan had said, on that day, Tong San’s wife committed an assault near the county office in broad daylight. Even if Meng Wan claimed that she had come to kill him, it could still be made to stick.

Regardless, this case was the most likely to reveal Song Tingzhou's attitude, so the Tong family used this case to probe Meng Wan.