Free Web NovelChapter 23: Chapter 12: The Building Collapsed
The awkwardness on their faces naturally stemmed from their recent aloofness, leaving them a bit embarrassed.
Fang Rui understood this perfectly, but he didn’t mind their previous ’opportunism’.
He knew deep down that it was simply human nature to seek profit and avoid loss; their actions were understandable.
Of course, that being said, Fang Rui was not the type of person to repay injury with kindness.
Since these neighbors had chosen indifference, he would not confide in them. At best, their relationship would remain that of mere acquaintances.
In reality, the Fang Family had always operated this way. On the surface, they were polite to every neighbor, but they actually kept to themselves and maintained their distance.
"Third Sister!"
Fang Rui walked over, gave Nannan’s cheek a little pinch, and turned to the ever more charming Third Lady. "What’s... going on?"
"Something’s happened to the Wang Family... *Sigh*. Brother Rui, come see for yourself!" Third Lady sighed, stepping aside to give him a view.
Fang Rui moved to her side, the rich fragrance of orchids filling his nostrils. Perfume didn’t exist in this era, yet the scent wafting from Third Lady was more alluring than the finest perfumes of his previous life.
He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of desire.
In the next instant, however, his eyes regained their clarity.
’When one is fed and warm, lewd thoughts arise. The ancients really knew their stuff... Maybe I should find some time to... appreciate the local culture of this era... If that doesn’t work out, I could always buy a pretty maid or two. That would be an option! Especially in a year like this, when people are worthless and grain is precious, it wouldn’t cost much... I’ve even heard that outside the county seat, you can get a wife for a few pounds of wheat bran...’
’Ahem, I’m getting ahead of myself. Low-key, I have to be low-key!’
Fang Rui suppressed his distracting thoughts, composed himself, and looked toward the scene.
He saw:
The entire Wang Family: Wang Dachui; Wang Xiaochui; Tiezi, who was about Fang Ling’s age—five or six years old; and Wang Tangshi, were all kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.
Beside them, two Black Clerks in gray, with the large character for ’Bailiff’ painted on their chests, were flexing their whips, eager to begin.
"Beat them!"
At the front, the Black-robed Chief Constable waved his hand.
Instantly.
The whips in the two Black Clerks’ hands came whistling down, flogging the Wang Family members, who shrieked again and again. Their mournful cries caused many of the onlooking neighbors to turn their heads, unable to watch.
’Just as I thought. I watched him build his tower, and now I’m watching it fall.’
A guess formed in Fang Rui’s mind. At the same time, he couldn’t help but think of Old Chu and his son. He sighed to himself. ’It’s all so similar!’ freewebnøvel.com
’In this era, the Government Office and the gangs are the two great mountains weighing down the common people!’
The surrounding neighbors were also whispering among themselves.
"What crime did the Wang Family commit?"
"Even the children... This is really..."
"Shh, quiet down!"
...
Only when the members of the Wang Family were beaten to a bloody pulp, their skin split and flesh torn, did the Black-robed Chief Constable finally wave a hand.
"Stop!"
He took two steps forward and cupped his fist in greeting to the crowd. "Elders and neighbors! The Wang father and son have been dishonest. They skimmed ore, secretly forged weapons, and sold them for high prices... This is defiance of the Government Office... Their assets are hereby confiscated... and the entire family will be condemned to slavery..."
As soon as he finished speaking.
Two gray-clad Black Clerks behind him rushed into the Wang Family home like ravenous beasts. After rummaging through chests and cupboards and turning the place upside down, they slapped a seal on the door.
In the end, the Wang Family’s assets were confiscated, their house was sealed, and the entire family was hauled away.
Only after the people from the Government Office had left did the crowd of neighbors, who had been silent as the grave, dare to speak.
"I knew it! I was wondering how the Wang Family’s life had gotten so much better recently. So this is what they were up to... The absolute nerve!"
"The Wang father and son, fine, they reaped what they sowed. But poor Mrs. Wang, and little Tiezi, who’s so young..."
"Sigh, if they weren’t pushed to the brink, unable to go on living, who would get into that kind of business? They’re all just unfortunate souls!"
...
There was gloating, pity, and the sorrow of seeing one’s own kind suffer... ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
The reactions were varied.
A glint appeared in Fang Rui’s eyes. ’Just as I thought. The Government Office didn’t just kill them all. They made the Wang Family into slaves—waste not, want not!’
’Wang Dachui and his son, Xiaochui, will probably be sent to a slave camp to forge weapons... People don’t last long in the slave camps of this world...’
’As for Wang Tangshi and little Tiezi, they’ll most likely be sold off... Of course, whether anyone will buy them is another story, and their fate won’t be much better either way...’
However, it was none of his business, and he couldn’t be bothered with it. He shook his head and returned to his family’s Caozhi Hall.
...
For the next few days, the Wang Family’s affair was the main topic of neighborhood gossip. Third Lady was well-informed, and through her, Fang Rui learned more details.
It turned out the Wang Family had found a buyer through a relative’s connection. But who would have known that the buyer was actually an informant for the Government Office?
In order to curry favor and secure his own future, the buyer reported the Wang Family and their relatives, resulting in all of them being condemned to slavery.
"That’s really..."
Fang Rui shook his head, reminded of the game ’Werewolf’. "You never know who’s a friend and who’s a foe until the very end!"
He completely abandoned the idea of buying pretty maidservants.
On one hand, it would be too high-profile; on the other, the Fang Family’s house was currently too small. If they added one or two people, no secret would be safe.
’Later! I have Immortality and an endless lifespan. One day, I will enjoy everything this world has to offer... This current restraint is just for the sake of a greater release in the future...’
’No rush, no rush. I’m in no hurry. Am I in a hurry? No, I am not! Good things come to those who wait!’
Fang Rui’s gaze grew distant. He caught Fang Ling as she leaped into his arms and tweaked the little girl’s nose.
In the doorway, under the afternoon sun, Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family sat on a small stool, stitching a shoe sole. From time to time, she would pick up a needle or scissors from an old wicker basket.
A warm breeze blew through the hall, causing the pages of the ledger on the counter to rustle.
These peaceful days were like wine, leaving Fang Rui slightly intoxicated.
’This is nice,’ he thought to himself.
...
