Chapter 68: Silken Treasures and Hidden Deeds

Zhong Wei hesitated for a moment. When Yuan Gonglu had sent him, he had only been ordered to apprehend the suspects, not to conduct a search. If he acted on his own initiative, he would have to bear the responsibility.

Ye Chang leaned in and whispered, “Officer Zhong, with so many unruly villagers from Xiao Liu Village around, if we don’t act quickly and they storm inside, it’ll be nearly impossible to find any stolen goods later.”

Only Zhong Wei could hear these words. Though young, he was an experienced clerk and immediately caught Ye Chang’s drift. He knew that without Yuan Gonglu’s authority, conducting a search would mean taking responsibility. However, if the villagers caused trouble and broke into the Liu residence, and he seized the evidence in the moment, it would be deemed decisive action—a great merit rather than rashness.

And if there was no evidence—well, men in their position knew how to create evidence when needed!

“It seems Liu Fengyin is truly finished this time,” Zhong Wei thought, glancing at Ye Chang, inwardly awed by his methods.

He must not offend this man, but instead seek an alliance. Toppling Liu Fengyin would both cement their friendship and bring in some extra silver—why not? As for the modest gifts Liu Fengyin had sent on holidays, they were nothing compared to the profits at hand.

“As for deeds and documents, leave them for the villagers. It’s not as if Officer Zhong can take away the land himself. The larger items, let the villagers carry off,” Ye Chang added quietly.

Zhong Wei’s eyes lit up. This way, it would seem they had taken little, but in truth, the spoils would be shared, and the villagers would benefit as well. Without the support of his clan, Liu Fengyin would be utterly isolated.

“You’re right, Master Ye. That old dog Liu Fengyin must cough up some bones to prove his theft.” Having made up his mind, Zhong Wei spoke harshly, “Men, break down the door!”

At the crash of the door, the Liu family’s servants, who had been hiding inside, scattered at once. The Liu family had never treated them well; it wasn’t worth standing up to the authorities for them.

By now, Liu Fengyin was already kneeling before Ye Chang, knocking his head repeatedly. His mouth was gagged, and he could only moan, but Ye Chang paid him no heed.

Zhong Wei strode in proudly with his constables. After a moment, one came running out. “You, you, and you—come and help!”

He pointed out a few idle men from the village, who tried to hide but were shoved forward by Ye Chang’s men from Wu Ze Po. Ye Chang and his group never set foot inside the Liu residence, wary of giving anyone an excuse to stir up trouble. But that didn’t mean he let go entirely; with a push, the villagers had no choice but to follow the constables inside.

Soon enough, they emerged, four men hefting a large chest. Seeing it, Liu Fengyin tried to lunge toward them, but was blocked by Ye Chang. The constable opened the chest, revealing it full of fine brocade.

“See if there’s any stolen goods inside...”

The constable shook out the brocade, tossing it on the ground, but found nothing else in the chest except some documents. With a grunt, he sent the four men back in, paying no mind to the brocade at the door.

At once, some greedy village women crept forward, snatched up bolts of brocade, and hurried off. When questioned, they claimed they were just safeguarding it for the Liu family. Soon, everyone joined in, and the brocade vanished in the blink of an eye. Then their attention turned to the documents in the chest.

“Land deeds!” someone cried out.

To country folk, land deeds were among their most prized possessions—the very proof of ownership! Even if the authorities had their own records, it only meant lawsuits could be fought.

“Liu Fengyin really was something—look at that, two-thirds of the fields in Xiao Liu Village and even lands in neighboring villages… all in his name. But now that he’s been arrested, who knows who’ll end up with all that land?”

At that moment, Ye Chang’s calm voice rang out.

Liu Fengyin, sprawled on the ground, leapt up and charged straight at him.

He knew full well what Ye Chang was up to now—not only was Ye Chang branding him a thief, he meant to carve up his property as well!

And Ye Chang was cunning; he didn’t dirty his own hands, but let the clerks and villagers do the dividing. This meant that those who had once been in league with him—or at least neutral—would now become his enemies, eager to protect their share.

It was a plan that would ruin him completely, ensuring that Liu Fengyin’s line would be wiped out!

It was clear: to prevent Liu Fengyin from making a comeback and reclaiming what had been seized, no one would sympathize with him. All his past misdeeds would likely be reported to the authorities.

Ye Chang was prepared. With a slight sidestep, Liu Fengyin crashed headlong into the wall. Dizzy, he staggered up, fixed his gaze on Ye Chang, and charged again.

His hands were bound; this was the only way he could express his fury and hatred.

Ye Chang dodged once more, and Liu Fengyin missed again, slipped, and smashed his head on his own doorstep.

Most people had wooden thresholds, but Liu Fengyin, eager to display his status, had one of solid stone. His head struck, blood blossomed like a thousand peach flowers, his body twitched on the ground, and then he moved no more.

Ye Chang watched his spasming body with a cold gaze.

People thought he had merely avoided the charge, but he had calculated it precisely. When Liu Fengyin first hit the wall, Ye Chang had seen his opportunity—he could have him killed without ever laying a hand on him.

This man was cunning, ruthless, and a tyrant in the countryside. If not removed now, he would be a threat in the future. Ye Chang himself was not afraid, but had to think of his sister-in-law, the slaves, and the young women.

The last time he sought revenge, his sister-in-law Fang had nearly lost her life.

Liu Fengyin’s body still twitched on the ground as those around stared in shock. Ye Chang said, “Hm, why did Liu Fengyin take his own life? Was he afraid to face justice?”

Everyone rolled their eyes. Right in front of them, it was clear he’d tried to attack Ye Chang and missed, smashing his own head instead.

“Or perhaps, seeing his property plundered, he became desperate and killed himself?” Ye Chang mused aloud.

There was a moment of silence, then someone in the crowd shouted, “He took his own life, plain and simple!”

“Yes, yes, suicide out of guilt!”

No one wanted to admit that Liu Fengyin’s assault was due to their looting of his deeds. If that were the reason, everyone present would be to blame!

Better to pin it on the dead. The authorities wouldn’t trouble a crowd over a man who’d killed himself in shame.

Some, dissatisfied with missing out on loot, considered going to the authorities, but then heard Ye Chang sigh, “For forty years Liu Fengyin has bullied and exploited, amassing treasures like mountains. His kin all followed him in preying on the weak. Today’s fate is only fitting.”

At these words, those who had missed out on the first spoils were stirred anew.

Yes! That chest at the door could hardly contain all the Liu family’s treasures. The real valuables must be inside the house. With Liu Fengyin dead, the family was finished—at least this branch was. Many present were distant relatives who had never benefited from him; now, surely, they could claim some of the spoils.

Seeing the greed ignite in their eyes, Ye Chang simply smiled and withdrew to stand beside the monk.

He had fanned the flames; now he would watch the rest of the drama unfold.

Inside the Liu residence, the constables herded the family—young and old—into a courtyard. Soon, the four villagers who’d been sent in to carry things emerged, looking innocent, but it was obvious from their bulging clothes they were hiding loot.

They were at once pulled aside and questioned quietly. When it was revealed that most of the house was now empty, a look passed among the crowd, and suddenly, everyone surged inside.

Ye Chang knew it was done. He looked back at his companions, saw them eager to join in, and smiled, “Don’t go in. If you do, you’ll be scapegoats. Just look at the corpse—if you want to end up like that, go ahead.”

Liu Fengyin’s body, once lying at the door, had by now been trampled to a pulp by the crowd.

“What about this bald monk?” The men from Wu Ze Po laughed, dragging Daoning over to Ye Chang.

“The authorities will deal with him. After all this, someone must pay for the crime—who better than him?” Ye Chang replied.

Daoning was already so scared he could barely stand. Hearing this, he fell to his knees, kowtowing and begging, “Master Ye, Eleventh Young Master, it was all Liu Fengyin and his daughter’s scheming! I am just a monk and have no quarrel with you. Please, spare my life!”

Ye Chang ignored his pleas. He was by nature narrow-minded; though he seemed amiable, if wronged, he always repaid in full. Daoning had crossed him repeatedly, and now their enmity was mortal—Ye Chang would not give him a chance.

Ye Shu’s death was also indirectly tied to the Liu family; today’s events settled part of that old score.

Meanwhile, villagers streamed in and out of the Liu residence. At first, they took only fine cloth and vessels, but soon even pots and pans disappeared, and when nothing was left, some men even carried out the beds. Ye Chang’s followers merely watched, fully accepting his authority—they did as he said, no more, no less.

After a while, the constables’ shouts rang out from inside, and the villagers fled like scattered sparrows, clutching whatever they could, from sacks of grain to jars of pickles. Some who normally wore rags strutted out in bright red women’s clothing, grinning with pride.

Just then, Clerk He Jin emerged and greeted Ye Chang with a bow. “Master Ye, I had no idea Liu Fengyin’s crimes were so many!”

“Oh?”

“They not only bullied the weak, but also murdered four traveling merchants for their money—all buried in the yard. The bodies have been recovered. Ha! The old villain met his end, but what a sight he is now!”

Ye Chang was startled. He had known Liu Fengyin was a violent man, but hadn’t expected he’d prey on passing merchants. This discovery not only confirmed Liu Fengyin’s guilt, but also sealed the fate of his children.

It was an even better outcome than Ye Chang had hoped.

He had already imagined the worst of the Liu family, but reality was even darker. Their downfall was richly deserved.

“In that case, we’ll take our leave. Next time I’m in town, I’ll call on you, Officer Zhong.”

With affairs settled, Ye Chang turned his thoughts homeward. He had been back for days but busy with Ye Shu’s funeral, not even visiting his own valley.

“I’ll speak on your behalf to the Treasurer; safe travels, Master Ye.”

Ye Chang led his party away. Daoning, thinking he’d been forgotten, felt a glimmer of hope that he might yet escape. Suddenly, Ye Chang turned back. “One thing almost slipped my mind—this Daoning is a renegade monk expelled from Shifang Temple. Lately, he’s conspired with Liu Fengyin to build a licentious shrine and deceive the villagers. Please see to his punishment as well.”

“Of course, an accomplice of Liu Fengyin must suffer as well,” Zhong Wei replied matter-of-factly.

Ye Chang smiled and finally departed. Daoning cursed him as he left, but to Ye Chang it was a triumphant send-off. Zhong Wei watched the young man disappear into the distance, unmoved by Daoning’s curses, and felt a pang of disappointment.

He had hoped Ye Chang would ask him to deal kindly with Daoning, so he could do him a favor in return.

“Officer Zhong, Master Zhong, I have nothing to do with Liu Fengyin—I am innocent!” Daoning wailed as Zhong Wei looked his way, but Zhong Wei only sneered.

“Don’t blame me; blame yourself for offending Master Ye.” Striding forward, he slapped Daoning hard. “You know why Master Ye ignored your curses?”

Daoning shook his head, pleading, but Zhong Wei, seeing he still did not understand, kicked him again. “Why argue with a man as good as dead? This is exactly what Master Ye intends.”

Daoning was stunned. He felt his own crimes were few and not deserving of death. Even if Liu Fengyin had killed four merchants, that had nothing to do with him—he had not been involved!

If Liu Fengyin were alive, he would understand Zhong Wei’s meaning. Clerks like them, who destroyed families utterly, had no mercy. Whether to eliminate all threats or to maximize profit, Daoning had to die.

Of course, there were many ways to die. The emperor loved his reputation, so an outright execution was unlikely, but every year, many died of illness or violence in prison.